Question

A space ship has four thrusters positioned on the top and bottom, and left and right as shown below. The thrusters can be operated independently or together to help the ship navigate in all directions.
Initially, the Space Probe is floating towards the East, as shown below, with a velocity, v. The pilot then turns on thruster #2.

Select one:

a.
Space ship will have a velocity to the West and will be speeding up.

b.
Space ship will have a velocity to the East and will be speeding up.

c.
Space ship will have a velocity to the East and will be slowing down.

d.
Space ship will have a velocity to the West and will be slowing down.

e.
Ship experiences no change in motion.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is - c.  Spaceship will have a velocity to the East and will be slowing down.

Explanation:

In this case, if turned on thruster #2 then it will exert force on the west side as thruster 2 is on the east side and it can be understood by Newton's third law that says each action has the same but opposite reaction.

As the spaceship engine applies force on the east side then according to the law the exhauster gas applies on towards west direction. It will try to decrease the velocity of the spaceship however, the direction of floating still be east side initally.