Resulting Velocity of Astronaut/Equipment: 1,960N in 2s

[Makaroon]

Homework Statement

On Earth, an astronaut and equipment weight 1,960.0 N. While weightless inspace, the astronaut fires a 100 N rocket backpack for 2.0 s. What is the resulting velocity of the astronauts and equipment?

Homework Equations

?

The Attempt at a Solution

t=2.0 s
w=mg


i am super lost...
idk which equation to use :S
i only know of
v=d/t :S
please help... i would truly appreciate it...

 

[LowlyPion]

You know the weight, so figure the mass.

You know the force, so figure the acceleration. F = M*a after all.

You know the acceleration, you know the time ... you know the answer.

 

[nlightner]

I would first clarify the units used in the given values. The weight of the astronaut and equipment is given in Newtons (N), which is a unit of force. The rocket backpack's thrust is also given in Newtons, which is the force it exerts in a specific direction. Time is given in seconds (s), which is a unit of time. In order to calculate velocity, we need to use the equation v = u + at, where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time. Since the astronaut and equipment are initially weightless in space, their initial velocity (u) is zero. The acceleration (a) can be calculated using Newton's second law, F=ma, where F is the net force and m is the mass. In this case, the net force is the thrust of the rocket backpack (100N) and the mass is the weight of the astronaut and equipment (1,960N). Therefore, a = (100N)/(1,960N) = 0.051 s^-2. Plugging in these values, we get v = 0 + (0.051 s^-2)(2.0 s) = 0.102 m/s. Therefore, the resulting velocity of the astronaut and equipment after firing the rocket backpack for 2 seconds is 0.102 m/s.