Final answer:
The statement that an external force is required to set a stationary object in motion in outer space, devoid of any gravitational or frictional influences, is true. Newton's First Law of Motion states that a stationary object will not move unless acted upon by an external force.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the student's question: True or False - An external force is required to set a stationary object in motion in outer space away from all gravitational influences and atmospheric friction. The correct answer is a. True.
According to Newton's First Law of Motion, an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force. This means that for a stationary object in outer space, far from any gravitational influences or atmospheric friction, an external force is indeed necessary to cause it to move. Without such a force, the object will remain stationary due to inertia.
It is important to note that once the object is set into motion, it will continue to move indefinitely at the same speed and in the same direction until another force acts upon it. This is due to the lack of external forces such as friction or air resistance that could slow it down or alter its course.