An astronaut, of total mass 86.0 kg including her suit, stands on a spherical satellite of mass 360 kg, both at rest relative a nearby space station. She jumps at a speed of 2.35 m/s directly away from the satellite, as measured by an observer in the station. At what speed does that observer measure the satellite traveling in the opposite direction?

Question

Karlee Stout

Physics

19 October, 08:39

An astronaut, of total mass 86.0 kg including her suit, stands on a spherical satellite of mass 360 kg, both at rest relative a nearby space station. She jumps at a speed of 2.35 m/s directly away from the satellite, as measured by an observer in the station. At what speed does that observer measure the satellite traveling in the opposite direction?

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Jack Bailey · Answer 1

Answer: 0.56 m/s

Explanation:

Hi, to answer this question we have to apply the formula of the conservation of momentum.

m1 v1 = m2 v2 (because the system is stationary at the beginning)

Where:

m1 = mass of the astronaut

v1 = velocity of the astronaut

m2 = mass of the satellite

v2 = velocity of the satellite

Replacing with the values given and solving:

86 kg (2.35m/s) = 360 kg v2

202.1 kgm/s=360kg v2

202.1kgm/s / 360kg = v2

v2 = 0.56 m/s

Feel free to ask for more if needed or if you did not understand something.