Final answer:
The speed of a puck on a floor is primarily affected by the force applied, friction with the floor, and air resistance. On an air hockey table, air reduces friction, allowing the puck to maintain its speed. Conservation of momentum also plays a role during collisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speed of a puck as it travels across the floor is influenced by several factors, such as the force applied to it, the friction between the puck and the floor, and air resistance. When discussing a scenario like an air hockey table, the puck glides over a cushion of air, which greatly reduces friction, allowing it to maintain its speed over a longer distance. On the other hand, if the air is turned off, the puck encounters more friction with the surface, which slows it down more quickly. The conservation of momentum is an important principle in this context, as demonstrated when one puck collides with another on an ice rink, transferring momentum from the moving puck to the stationary one.