An astronaut of mass is at rest in free space while holding a small gas cylinder of mass
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
An astronaut of mass 80kg is at rest in free space while holding a small gas cylinder of mass 20kg. The cylinder ejects 2kg of gas straight backward with a speed of 300ms−1 relative to the astronaut–cylinder system. Calculate the speed acquired by the astronaut together with the remaining cylinder immediately after the gas is expelled.