Question

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?

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.