Asteroid forces

Space is a good place to understand forces

as there is no air resistance (friction or
drag)
In deep space there is no gravity so
everything is weightless.
An asteroid
No forces – it is either stationary or …
… it has a constant velocity (constant
speed in a straight line)
Stationary
A force will make it accelerate in the
direction of the force
Same force in a different direction – same
acceleration
Bigger force - bigger acceleration
A force not through the centre of mass will
make the asteroid spin as well as accelerate
 5N 5N

No acceleration

0n
 3N 5N

8N
3N 5N

2N
 3N
4N

5N