A 97kg astronaut and a 1100kg satellite are at rest relative to the space shuttle. The astronaut pushes on the satellite, giving it a speed of 0.13m/s 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?

Answer 1

Solve using momentum.

Initial momentum=0, since both astronaut and satellite are stationary with respect to shuttle.

Assuming velocity away from shuttle is positive, and m1=mass of astronaut, m2=mass of satellite, then

m1v1+m2v2=0
97v1+1100*0.13
Solve for v1 to get
v1 = -1100*0.13/97
=-1.474 m/s (i.e. towards the shuttle.

Answer 2

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