PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Linear Momentum · Linear Momentum
Problem
An astronaut of mass 80kg is floating in space, holding a tool box of mass 160kg. The pair drift with a uniform velocity of 0.60m/s relative to a nearby spacecraft. The astronaut then pushes the tool box directly away from himself for 0.40s with a constant force of 20N. No other external forces act during this time.
Answer the following questions.
(i) Determine the acceleration of the astronaut and of the tool box while the force acts.
(ii) Calculate the velocities of the astronaut and of the tool box immediately after they lose contact, each measured relative to the spacecraft.
(iii) Find the speed with which they separate from each other at that instant.
(iv) Verify that the linear momentum of the two-body system relative to the spacecraft is unchanged by the push.