Calculate Work and Crate Speed in Astronaut's Space Station Maneuvers

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the total work done by an astronaut on a crate in a space station, with a mass of 120 kg and an initial speed of 2.5 m/s. The astronaut applies a force of 250 N to accelerate the crate over 5 m, resulting in 370 J of work. Subsequently, the astronaut applies a force of 220 N to decelerate the crate over 4 m. The final speed of the crate can be determined using the work-energy principle, where the net work done is added to the initial kinetic energy to find the final kinetic energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with the work-energy theorem
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy calculations
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the work-energy theorem in detail
  • Learn how to calculate kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²)
  • Explore examples of force and motion in a zero-gravity environment
  • Investigate the effects of net work on an object's velocity
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Physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of motion in microgravity environments will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



A crate with a mass of 120 kg glides through a space station with a speed of 2.5 m/s. An astronaut speeds it up by pushing on it from behind with a force of 250 N, continually pushing with this force through a distance of 5 m. The astronaut moves around to the front of the crate and slows the crate down by pushing backwards with a force of 220 N, backing up through a distance of 4 m.

What is the total amount of work done by the astronaut in these two maneuvers? (I correctly calculated this to be W = 370J)


After these two maneuvers, what is the speed of the crate?


Homework Equations



Kf - Ki = work

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the work, but need the speed. I just can't figure out how to pull the velocity out of that correctly
 
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I found the work, but need the speed. I just can't figure out how to pull the velocity out of that correctly
If you want speed then what was the KE of the object initially?

How much net work did the astroworker do? If you add that to the object's energy, that's the final KE and Ke = ½mv²
 

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