An astronaut in her space suit has a total mass of m₁ = 89.0 kg, including suit and oxygen tank. Her tether line loses its attachment to her spacecraft while she's on a spacewalk. Initially at rest with respect to her spacecraft, she throws her oxygen tank of mass m₂ = 12.0 kg away from her spacecraft with a speed v = 7.50 m/s to propel herself back toward it (see figure). m₂ m₂ (a) Determine the maximum distance she can be from the craft and still return within 2.40 min (the amount of time the air in her helmet remains breathable). (b) Explain in terms of Newton's laws of motion why this strategy works.

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
Topic Video
Question
An astronaut in her space suit has a total mass of \( m_1 = 89.0 \, \text{kg} \), including suit and oxygen tank. Her tether line loses its attachment to her spacecraft while she's on a spacewalk. Initially at rest with respect to her spacecraft, she throws her oxygen tank of mass \( m_2 = 12.0 \, \text{kg} \) away from her spacecraft with a speed \( v = 7.50 \, \text{m/s} \) to propel herself back toward it (see figure).

---

**Image Description:**

The image shows an astronaut floating in space, indicated by a space suit. The astronaut is situated on the left, and an oxygen tank is shown on the right of the image. Arrows are used to illustrate motion: one pointing left from the astronaut and one pointing right from the oxygen tank.

- **Astronaut:** Labeled with \( m_1 \).
- **Oxygen Tank:** Labeled with \( m_2 \) and a red arrow pointing to the right illustrating velocity \( v \).

---

**Questions:**

(a) Determine the maximum distance she can be from the craft and still return within \( 2.40 \, \text{min} \) (the amount of time the air in her helmet remains breathable).

\[ \text{Distance:} \, \underline{\hspace{2cm}} \, \text{m} \]

(b) Explain in terms of Newton's laws of motion why this strategy works.

\[ \text{Explanation:} \, \underline{\hspace{25cm}} \]

---

In this scenario, principles of physics, particularly Newton's Third Law, are applied to solve the problem of an astronaut propelling herself back to her spacecraft after losing tether connection.
Transcribed Image Text:An astronaut in her space suit has a total mass of \( m_1 = 89.0 \, \text{kg} \), including suit and oxygen tank. Her tether line loses its attachment to her spacecraft while she's on a spacewalk. Initially at rest with respect to her spacecraft, she throws her oxygen tank of mass \( m_2 = 12.0 \, \text{kg} \) away from her spacecraft with a speed \( v = 7.50 \, \text{m/s} \) to propel herself back toward it (see figure). --- **Image Description:** The image shows an astronaut floating in space, indicated by a space suit. The astronaut is situated on the left, and an oxygen tank is shown on the right of the image. Arrows are used to illustrate motion: one pointing left from the astronaut and one pointing right from the oxygen tank. - **Astronaut:** Labeled with \( m_1 \). - **Oxygen Tank:** Labeled with \( m_2 \) and a red arrow pointing to the right illustrating velocity \( v \). --- **Questions:** (a) Determine the maximum distance she can be from the craft and still return within \( 2.40 \, \text{min} \) (the amount of time the air in her helmet remains breathable). \[ \text{Distance:} \, \underline{\hspace{2cm}} \, \text{m} \] (b) Explain in terms of Newton's laws of motion why this strategy works. \[ \text{Explanation:} \, \underline{\hspace{25cm}} \] --- In this scenario, principles of physics, particularly Newton's Third Law, are applied to solve the problem of an astronaut propelling herself back to her spacecraft after losing tether connection.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Momentum
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON