Question

An 88.0 kg spacewalking astronaut pushes off a 645 kg satellite, exerting a 110 N force for the 0.450 s it takes him to straighten his arms. How far apart are the astronaut and the satellite after 1.40 min?

Answer 1

Answer:

The astronaut and the satellite are 53.718 m apart.

Explanation:

Given;

mass of spacewalking astronaut, = 88 kg

mass of satellite, = 645 kg

force exerts by the satellite, F = 110N

time for this action, t = 0.45 s

Determine the acceleration of the satellite after the push

F = ma

a = F / m

a = 110 / 645

a = 0.171 m/s²

Determine the final velocity of the satellite;

v = u + at

where;

u is the initial velocity of the satellite = 0

v = 0 + 0.171 x 0.45

v = 0.077 m/s

Determine the displacement of the satellite after 1.4 m

d₁ = vt

d₁ = 0.077 x (1.4 x 60)

d₁ = 6.468 m

According to Newton's third law of motion, action and reaction are equal and opposite;

Determine the backward acceleration of the astronaut after the push;

F = ma

a = F / m

a = 110 / 88

a = 1.25 m/s²

Determine the final velocity of the astronaut

v = u + at

The initial velocity of the astronaut = 0

v = 1.25 x 0.45

v = 0.5625 m/s

Determine the displacement of the astronaut after 1.4 min

d₂ = vt

d₂ = 0.5625 x (1.4 x 60)

d₂ = 47.25 m

Finally, determine the total separation between the astronaut and the satellite;

total separation = d₁ + d₂

total separation = 6.468 m + 47.25 m

total separation = 53.718 m

Therefore, the astronaut and the satellite are 53.718 m apart.