AN ASTRONANT IN ORBIT OUTSIDE AN ORBITING SPACE STATION THROWS HER 800.0g CAMERA AWAY IN DISGUST WHEN IT JAMS. IF SHE AND HER SPACESUIT TOGETHER HAVE A MASS OF 100.0kg AND THE SPEED OF THE CAMERA IS 12.0m/s
a. WHAT WILL BE THE SPEED OF THE ASTRONAUNT AFTER THROWING THE CAMERA?
b. HOW FAR AWAY FROM THE SPACE STATION WILL SHE BE IN FIVE-MINUTES?
WHERE DID YOU TYPE THIS, ON AN OLD TELETYPE TERMINAL?
To solve this problem, we can apply the principle of conservation of momentum. According to this principle, the total momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by external forces.
a. To find the speed of the astronaut after throwing the camera, we can set up the equation using the conservation of momentum:
(initial momentum of the astronaut + initial momentum of the camera) = (final momentum of the astronaut)
Since the astronaut and the camera are initially at rest, the initial momentum of the astronaut and the camera is zero.
Final momentum of the astronaut = mass of the astronaut × final velocity of the astronaut
The final momentum of the camera can be calculated using the equation:
Final momentum of the camera = mass of the camera × final velocity of the camera
Since the camera is thrown away, the final momentum of the camera is zero.
Therefore, we can write the equation as:
Final momentum of the astronaut = 0 + 0
mass of the astronaut × final velocity of the astronaut = 0
100.0 kg × final velocity of the astronaut = 0
Since anything multiplied by zero is zero, the final velocity of the astronaut will be zero. Hence, the astronaut's speed after throwing the camera will be zero.
b. To determine how far away from the space station the astronaut will be in five minutes, we need to consider the distance covered by the astronaut during this time.
To calculate this, we can use the equation:
Distance = Speed × Time
Since the astronaut's speed is zero after throwing the camera, the distance covered will also be zero. Therefore, the astronaut will remain at the same position, and the distance from the space station will be unchanged.
In conclusion, the astronaut's speed after throwing the camera is zero, and the distance from the space station will remain the same.