Question

In Space, an astronaut releases a wrench from his hand. The wrench has a mass of 4 grams and is traveling with a velocity of -15m/s. The Astronaut’s mass is 70kg. What is his Velocity?

Answer 1

Answer:

$v_2=8.85\times 10^{-4}\ m/s$

Explanation:

We have,

Mass of a wrench, m₁ = 4 g = 0.004 kg

Speed of wrench, v₁ = -15 m/s

Mass of the Astronaut, m₂ = 70 kg

It is required to find Astronaut's velocity. Let it is v₂. Using the conservation of linear momentum to find it.

$m_1v_1=m_2v_2\\\\v_2=\dfrac{m_1v_1}{m_2}\\\\=\dfrac{0.004\times (-15)}{70}\\\\=-8.85\times 10^{-4}\ m/s$

So, his velocity is $8.85\times 10^{-4}\ m/s$.