Question

As we've seen, astronauts measure their mass by measuring the period of oscillation when sitting in a chair connected to a spring. The Body Mass Measurement Device on Skylab, a 1970s space station, had a spring constant of 606 N/m. The empty chair oscillated with a period of 0.856 s.What is the mass of an astronaut who oscillates with a period of 2.19 s when sitting in the chair?

Answer 1

Answer: 61 45kg

Step-by-step explanation:

M(ch) = [(T²/4π²)k]

= (0.856²/4π²)*606

= 0.0186*606

= 11.27

M(tot) = [(T²/4π²)k]

= (2.19²/4π²) * 606

= 0.12 * 606

= 72.72

M = m(tot) - m(ch)

M = 72.72 - 11.27

M = 61.45kg