Question

A 68.5 kg astronaut is doing a repair on the space station. She throws a 2.25 kg tool away from her at 3.20 m/s. With what speed and direction will she begin to move ?

Answer 1

When the astronaut throws a 2.25 kg tool at 3.20 m/s, she will start moving in the opposite direction at approximately 0.105 m/s due to conservation of momentum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the conservation of momentum in the context of space exploration. According to the law of conservation of momentum, when the astronaut throws the 2.25 kg tool at 3.20 m/s in one direction, she will start moving in the opposite direction. The speed at which she will move can be calculated by using the formula:

m1 × v1 = m2 × v2

Where m1 is the mass of the tool, v1 is the velocity of the tool, m2 is the mass of the astronaut, and v2 is the velocity of the astronaut. Plugging in the given values:

2.25 kg × 3.20 m/s = 68.5 kg × v2

Solving for v2, we get:

v2 = (2.25 kg × 3.20 m/s) / 68.5 kg

v2 ≈ 0.105 m/s

So, the astronaut will begin to move at approximately 0.105 m/s in the direction opposite to the thrown tool.