Can a person catch an object in space and stop it without being pulled along?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan452
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Space
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
1 reply · 2K views
Ivan452
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone, I come here with a question.

I'm not a physicist, so this might be a stupid question.
But something crossed my mind.

If a person is 'floating' relatively still in outer space (0 gravity) and a object (a small rock, washing machine or a car) with a rope attached to it passes him by at some speed (lets say 60mph) will the person be able to stop the object by catching the rope?
Or will the object pull the person with it?
Or will the person be able to stop the rock but not the washing machine?
Or something else?
 

Discussion

Astronomy news on Phys.org