Question

A 60.0 kg astronaut is on a space walk away from the shuttle when her tether line breaks! She is able to throw her 10.0 kg oxygen tank away from the shuttle with a velocity of 12.0 m/s to propel herself back to the shuttle. Assuming that she starts from rest (relative to the shuttle), determine the maximum distance she can be from the craft when the line breaks and still return with 60.0 s ( the amount of time she can hold her breath).

Answer 1

Answer:

120 m

Explanation:

$m_1$ = Mass of Astronaut

$m_1$ = Mass of tank

$v_1$ = Velocity of Astronaut

$v_2$ = Velocity of tank

From conservation of linear momentum

$m_1v_1=m_2v_2\\\Rightarrow v_1=\frac{m_2v_2}{m_1}\\\Rightarrow v_1=\frac{10\times 12}{60}\\\Rightarrow v_1=2\ m/s$

Distance = Speed × Time

$Distance=2\times 60=120\ m$

So, the maximum distance she can travel is 120 m