Question

An astronaut whose mass is 80 kg carries an empty oxygen tank with a mass of 10 kg. The astronaut throws the tank away with a speed of 2.0 m/s. With what velocity does the astronaut start to move off into space?

Answer 1

The speed of the astronaut is 0.25 m/s in the opposite direction to the oxygen tank.

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the conservation of linear momentum, we have:

`p_(initial)=p_(final)`

The initial momentum is zero because both of them are at rest, so we just have a final momentum.

`0=m_(astro)V_(f-astro)+m_(tank)V_(f-tank)`

`m_(astro)V_(f-astro)=-m_(tank)V_(f-tank)`

`V_(f-astro)=-(V_(f-tank)m_(tank))/(m_(astro))`

`V_(f-astro)=-(2*10)/(80)`

`V_(f-astro)=-0.25\: m/s`

Therefore, the speed of the astronaut is 0.25 m/s in the opposite direction to the oxygen tank.

I hope it helps you!