Question

A 68.5kg astronaut floating motionless next to the space station throws a 2.25kg tool away from her at 3.20m/s. With what speed and direction will the astronaut begin to move?

Answer 1

-0.105 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that

Mass of the astronaut, m(a) = 68.5 kg

Mass of the tool, m(t) = 2.25 kg

Speed of the tool after it is thrown, v(t) = 3.20 m/s

We know that momentum of a particle,

p = mv

See the attachment for calculations

Therefore, the speed is 0.105 m/s and it moves in the opposite direction.