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An interstellar spacecraft, far from the influence of any stars or planets, is moving at high speed under the influence of fu- sion rockets when the engines malfunction and stop. The spacecraft will
(A)(A) immediately stop, throwing all of the occupants to the front of the craft. (B)(B) begin slowing down, eventually coming to a rest in the cold emptiness of space. (C)(C) keep moving at constant speed for a while, but then be- gin to slow down. (D)(D) keep moving forever at the same speed.

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Newton's first law states that, if a body is at rest or moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line at constant speed unless it is acted upon by a force. In this case, the interstellar spacecraft is moving at a constant speed under the influence of fusion rockets until the engines malfunction and stop. However, the interstellar spacecraft will keep moving at a constant speed due to absence of external force.

\therefore (D) The spacecraft will keep moving forever at the same speed.

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