Question

Space walking astronauts are usually tethered by rope to the space capsule. An astronaut wearing his spacesuit and a 50 kg backpack has had his tether come loose and is now slowly drifting away into space. Using Newton’s 3rd Law, how can he save himself?

Answer 1

Sample Response

The Primary Life Support Subsystem backpack contains the oxygen that astronauts breathe when they are on a spacewalk. It also removes the carbon dioxide that is exhaled by the astronauts and provides electricity for the spacesuit.

Answer 2

Newton's 3rd law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This means that if the astronaut throws his 50kg backpack in the direction in which he is drifting with enough force, he will propel himself back towards the spaceship