Question

A NASA explorer spacecraft with a mass of 1,000 kg takes off in a positive direction from a stationary asteroid. If the velocity of the spacecraft is 250 m/s and the asteroid is pushed back –25 m/s, what is the mass of the asteroid? Assume there is no net force on the system.
A) 100 kg
B) 6,250 kg
C) 10,000 kg
D) 6,250,000 kg

Answer 1

Before the launch, the momentum of the (spacecraft + asteroid) was zero.  So after the launch, the momentum of the (spacecraft + asteroid) has to be zero.

Momentum = (mass) x (velocity)

Momentum after the launch:

Spacecraft:  (1,000 kg) x (250 m/s) = 250,000 kg-m/s

Asteroid: (mass) x (-25 m/s)

Their sum:  250,000 - 25(mass) .

Their sum must be zero, so  250,000 kg-m/s = (25 m/s) x (mass)

Divide each side by  25 :  10,000 kg-m/s = (1 m/s) x (mass)

Divide each side by (1 m/s) :  10,000 kg = mass

Answer 2

Answer:

IT IS C EDGEINUTY

Explanation: