Calculate Astronaut's Velocity After Throwing Oxygen Tank | Outer Space Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike667
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Space
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an astronaut in space throwing an oxygen tank and seeks to determine the astronaut's velocity after the action. The subject area pertains to conservation of momentum in a physics context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of momentum as a relevant principle, with some questioning the sign convention for velocity. There are attempts to calculate the astronaut's velocity based on the momentum before and after the throw.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with multiple interpretations of the astronaut's velocity being explored. Some participants have provided insights into the sign convention and the nature of speed versus velocity, but no consensus has been reached on the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the distinction between speed and velocity, as well as the implications of direction in the calculations. The problem is framed within the context of a homework assignment, which may impose certain constraints on the discussion.

Mike667
Messages
14
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 63 kg astronaut at rest in space throws a 10 kg oxygen tank with a speed of 12 m/s. What is the velocity of the astronaut immediately after throwing the tank?


Which formula would I use to solve this? Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Mike667 said:

Homework Statement


A 63 kg astronaut at rest in space throws a 10 kg oxygen tank with a speed of 12 m/s. What is the velocity of the astronaut immediately after throwing the tank?


Which formula would I use to solve this? Thanks in advance.

Conservation of momentum. Here, the total momentum before was zero. so th etotal momentum after will be zero.
 
Yes, that's what i was thinking. thanks again.
 
Is the answer 1.9 m/s?
 
I get ...120/63.
 
denverdoc said:
I get ...120/63.

oh really?:rolleyes:

actually, its -1.9 m/s because the astronaut goes backwards.
 
Last edited:
Mike667 said:
oh really?:rolleyes:

actually, its -9.1 m/s because the astronaut goes backwards.

I think you may mean -1.9m/s
 
Haha, yeah ill change it.
 
Mike667 said:
oh really?:rolleyes:

actually, its -9.1 m/s because the astronaut goes backwards.

Yes, and I actually chose the sign convention as such. Good lord trying to be helpful. And you'll notice, the question states the problems in terms of speed and asks for velocity. Either answer is correct.
 

Similar threads

Gas Laws -- An astronaut breathing presurized air
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
Astronaut and space shuttle momentum
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Finding recoil velocity of an object during a collision
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Conservation of momentum of astronaut in her space suit
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
23K
Astronaut in space, calculating velocity etc
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Conservation of Momentum of astronaut leaving ship
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculating Projectile Distance on Pluto
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Astronaut throwing a Wrench in space problem again
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
Find the Oxygen Mass in a Welding Tank
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Find final speed of the astronaut after throwing the tank
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K