Question

exit ticket: unbalanced forces

1. an asteroid called 2012 tc4 is due to make a staggeringly close pass of earth next year. nasa has insisted we have nothing to fear from the close flyby of 2012 tc4, which is as big as a tower block and traveling towards earth at more than 40,000 mph. if no unbalanced forces act on the asteroid, then

a. its speed will slowly increase
b. its speed will slowly decrease
c. the direction of its motion will reverse
d. it will continue traveling at the same speed

Explanation:

According to Newton's first law of motion, an object in motion will stay in motion with a constant velocity (same speed and direction) unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Since no unbalanced forces act on the asteroid, its speed and direction remain unchanged.

Answer:

D. It will continue traveling at the same speed