Ann the Astronaut weighs 60 kg.She is space walking outside the space shuttle and pushes a 350-kg satellite away from the shuttle at 0.70 m/s.What speed does this give Ann as she moves toward the shuttle?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Momentum is conserved, so the total momentum before the push is zero, and the total momentum after the push is also zero. Therefore, the momentum of Ann after the push is equal to the momentum of the satellite after the push. The momentum of the satellite is 350 kg * 0.70 m/s = 245 kg*m/s. Therefore, the momentum of Ann after the push is also 245 kg*m/s. The mass of Ann is 60 kg, so her speed after the push is 245 kg*m/s / 60 kg = 4.1 m/s.

Ann the Astronaut Weighs 60 Kg