The correct answer is C. Car accelerating from a stop sign.
Newton's second law of motion states that the acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting upon it and its mass, which can be expressed with the equation \( F = ma \). In the case of the car accelerating from a stop sign, there is a net force acting on the car (from the engine and friction) causing it to accelerate, demonstrating this law.
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A. Skydiver falling at constant speed: This condition indicates that the forces (gravity and air resistance) are balanced, and there's no net force acting, thus not demonstrating acceleration.
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B. Satellite orbiting the earth: While forces are acting, it's more about centripetal motion rather than straightforward acceleration from rest.
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D. Book lying on a table: This situation has no acceleration as all forces are balanced (gravity and the normal force from the table).
Thus, option C is the best representation of Newton's second law in action.