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)

Question

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 cannot get back to her spaceship.
The astronaut cannot get back to her 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 away from the 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 astronaut can release air from the device in all directions around her in the hopes that she will move towards the spaceship.

The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship.

Answer 1

The astronaut can release air from the device in a direction that points towards the spaceship. By releasing jets of air in the opposite direction to the spaceship, the astronaut will experience a reactionary force that propels her towards the spacecraft. This is based on Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. By continuously releasing jets of air in the direction of the spaceship, the astronaut can gradually increase her momentum and eventually reach the ship.