An astronaut is stranded outside her spaceship. She is wearing a tool belt that contains a device that releases jets of air. Can the astronaut get back to her spaceship? Explain how.(1 point)
Responses
The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points away from the spaceship.
The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points away from the spaceship.
The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship.
The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship.
The astronaut cannot get back to her spaceship.
The astronaut cannot get back to her spaceship.
The astronaut can release air from the device in all directions around her in the hopes that she will move towards the spaceship.
The correct answer is:
- The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points away from the spaceship.
By releasing jets of air in a direction away from the spaceship, according to Newton's third law of motion, the astronaut will experience an equal and opposite reaction force that propels her in the opposite direction. This will enable the astronaut to move back towards the spaceship and eventually reach it.