How do Newton’s laws of motion explain why it is important to keep the ice smooth on a hockey rink so that players can pass a puck as quickly as possible?

Smooth ice reduces the inertia of the hockey puck.
Smooth ice increases the force used to accelerate the hockey puck.
Smooth ice reduces the unbalanced forces that would slow the hockey puck.
Smooth ice decreases the reaction force that the ice exerts on the hockey puck

Newton's first law of motion states that an object will stay at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. In the case of a hockey puck, a smooth ice surface reduces the friction between the puck and the ice, allowing the puck to move with less resistance and maintain its speed.

Newton's second law of motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. A smooth surface reduces the frictional force acting on the puck, allowing players to apply a greater force to accelerate the puck quickly.

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A smooth ice surface reduces the potential for unbalanced forces acting on the puck, allowing the players to pass the puck more accurately and efficiently.

Therefore, by keeping the ice smooth, players are able to pass the puck as quickly as possible by reducing inertia, increasing force, reducing unbalanced forces, and minimizing reaction forces from the ice.

Smooth ice reduces the unbalanced forces that would slow the hockey puck

Yes, that is correct. A smooth ice surface reduces the friction and drag forces acting on the hockey puck, which helps to minimize any unbalanced forces that would slow down the puck as it moves across the rink. This allows players to pass the puck more quickly and efficiently, ultimately enhancing the overall speed and performance of the game.