The final velocity () of the first astronaut will be greater than the <em>final velocity</em> of the second astronaut (
) to ensure that the total initial momentum of both astronauts is equal to the total final momentum of both astronauts <em>after throwing the ball</em>.
The given parameters;
- Mass of the first astronaut, = m₁
- Mass of the second astronaut, = m₂
- Initial velocity of the first astronaut, = v₁
- Initial velocity of the second astronaut, = v₂ > v₁
- Mass of the ball, = m
- Speed of the ball, = u
- Final velocity of the first astronaut, =
- Final velocity of the second astronaut, =
The final velocity of the first astronaut relative to the second astronaut after throwing the ball is determined by applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum.
if v₂ > v₁, then , to conserve the linear momentum.
Thus, the final velocity () of the first astronaut will be greater than the <em>final velocity</em> of the second astronaut (
) to ensure that the total initial momentum of both astronauts is equal to the total final momentum of both astronauts after throwing the ball.
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