If a 100-kg astronaut pushes on a 5,000-kg satellite and the satellite experiences an acceleration of 0.1 m/s², what is the acceleration experienced by the astronaut in the opposite direction? A) 5 m/s² B) 10 m/s² C) 50 m/s² D) 0.1 m/s² E) 1,000 m/s²

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Newton's third law, the force exerted by the astronaut on the satellite is equal and opposite to the force exerted by the satellite on the astronaut. Using F = ma, the force on the satellite is 500 kg*m/s² (5000 kg * 0.1 m/s²). The same force acts on the astronaut, so the acceleration of the astronaut is 500 kg*m/s² / 100 kg = 5 m/s².

If a 100-Kg Astronaut Pushes on a 5,000-Kg Satellite and the Satellite