Question

Firing the thrusters would have caused the pod to move in the opposite direction if

a. the thrusters exerted a stronger force than normal
b. the thrusters malfunctioned
c. the pod's mass increased
d. there was no gravity in the vicinity

Answer 1

Firing the thrusters would cause the pod to move in the opposite direction if the thrusters exerted a stronger force than normal or if the thrusters malfunctioned.

Step-by-step explanation:

Firing the thrusters would have caused the pod to move in the opposite direction if:

1. The thrusters exerted a stronger force than normal
2. The thrusters malfunctioned

In both cases, the stronger force or the malfunction would result in a greater push from the thrusters, causing the pod to move in the opposite direction of the force exerted by the thrusters. This is based on Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.