A 94- astronaut and a 1200- satellite are at rest relative to the space shuttle. The astronaut pushes on the satellite, giving it a speed of 0.25 directly away from the shuttle. Seven-and-a-half seconds later the astronaut comes into contact with the shuttle.What was the initial distance from the shuttle to the astronaut?

Question

A 94- astronaut and a 1200- satellite are at rest relative to the space shuttle. The astronaut pushes on the satellite, giving it a speed of 0.25  directly away from the shuttle. Seven-and-a-half seconds later the astronaut comes into contact with the shuttle.What was the initial distance from the shuttle to the astronaut?

bobpursley · Answer

velocityastronaut= distance/(7.5min*60sec/min)

now, conservation of momentum.

1200kg*.25m/s=94kg*distance/(7.5*60sec)

solve for distance.

YOu did not put units on numbers in your problem statement. In the Physical sciences, numerals are meaningless without units.