Astronaut and Satellite Separation Speeds

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an astronaut pushing off a satellite, with specific masses and a force applied during contact. The objective is to determine the speeds of both the astronaut and the satellite after separation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relevance of the astronaut's weight in the context of the problem and question the initial setup of forces and accelerations. There is an exploration of how to calculate acceleration based solely on the applied force and mass.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on focusing solely on the forces acting during the push-off and have questioned the original poster's calculations. There appears to be a productive exchange of ideas, with one participant expressing satisfaction after receiving help.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of confusion regarding the application of forces and the astronaut's weight, indicating potential misunderstandings about the problem's setup in a microgravity environment.

meran
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Homework Statement



An astronaut of mass 74 kg pushes off a satellite of mass 420 kg, exerting a force of 120 N for the 0.82 s they are in contact.

Homework Equations



What is the speed of the astronaut after they have separated?
What is the speed of the satellite after they have separated?

The Attempt at a Solution



The astronaut's weight is -726 N. If he were to push with 120 N, the combined forces would equal -734.8 N. Therefore, from F=ma, acceleration would be -9.93 m/s/s and veloctiy (-9.93=v/.82) would equal -8.14 m/s. However, that is not the correct answer. I have a feeling something in my initial set up is wrong. Any ideas?
 
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The astronaut's weight has nothing to do with it (he's in space!). You only need to consider the masses. I don't get where you got the -734.8 N from. There is only the one force acting. Other than that, I think you are on the right track.
 
Last edited:
How much does 120N make 74kg accelerate? Thats all you need to consider to get the accelaration of the astronaut.
 
Alright! I got it! Thank you so much for your help.
 

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