Does non-gravitational acceleration change in space?

Question

NO GUESSES, THANK YOU.

On earth, gravitational acceleration is 9.8 m/s^2. On the moon, it's about 1.62 m/s^2. Is any other kind of acceleration OTHER THAN GRAVITY different on other planets or in space? If I throw a rock, would my arm be able to generate the same amount of acceleration, leading the rock to impact its target with the same amount of force? Assume that my arm is not encumbered by my spacesuit, etc. If I have a gun that can work in a vacuum, would the bullet experience any more or less acceleration out of the barrel in microgravity than it would on earth's surface.

No guesses, please. I have done plenty of guessing on my own.

I am asking this question in a Newtonian context, but I wouldn't mind hearing any Einsteinian input.

Answer 1

Newton===>  F = MA

As stated mass in your examples are all constant regardless of location.  Earth, space, anywhere

Your muscles can generate the same force anywhere.

Same for gunpowder in the gun.

If you are NOT restrained, some of the force (acceleration) will act on your body.  The sum of all accelerations is a constant.  (Think the "kick" of the gun.)

So... yes you get the same accelerations everywhere.

QED

Answer 2

Your overall question is a little too broad to answer in any way except that the laws of physics aren't any different in space as they are anywhere else.  Their manifestation just changes depending on the circumstances.  I can give more specific answers to more specific questions.

Specific questions:

Your ability to throw will be compromised if you don't have a good base to throw on.  You are used to throwing on earth and you use your legs a lot to push off.  Your outer space throw is likely to be a bit of a flail--especially if you aren't braced against something heavy.

The gun isn't going to change much.  You provide enough mass to absorb the recoil well enough that it shouldn't effect the bullet's speed.

Answer 3

The problem is gravitational acceleration, as you called it , depends on the mass of the objects related. So the problem is not that laws are different, just that masses of the objects involved are different. The problem is how gravitational acceleration is defined, but it is like that only because it is simpler to handle...

If you apply a force, everywhere, following Newton's laws, you're going to get the same acceleration (F=ma) provided that the mass on which the force is applyed is the same

Answer 4

They'd all be guesses. Unless you actually have a gun and shoot it in space and measure it. Hm? No? K. Thank you, drive through.