The center of mass will not accelerate, no external force on the system.
That is a distance d from the 6000 kg asteroid
6000 d = 3580(400 -d)
6000 d = 1,432,000 -3580 d
d = 149.5 meters from the asteroid
so we need to pull the asteroid 149.5 meters
149.5 = (1/2) a t^2
where a = F/m = 490/6000
149.5 = 245/6000 t^2
t = 60.5 seconds
about a minute
At a time when mining asteroids has become feasible, astronauts have connected a line between their 3580-kg space tug and a 6000-kg asteroid. Using their ship's engine, they pull on the asteroid with a force of 490 N. Initially the tug and the asteroid are at rest, 400 m apart. How much time does it take for the ship and the asteroid to meet?
1 answer
1 answer