Conservation of Momentum of astronaut

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around an astronaut who, after losing her tether, throws a wrench to propel herself back to her spaceship. The conservation of momentum principle is applied to relate the masses of the astronaut and the wrench to their velocities. The user attempts to derive the time it takes for the astronaut to reach the ship using the equation t = d/v, where d is the distance L and v is the final velocity of the astronaut. There is uncertainty about the correctness of the derived formula, specifically t = (L)(M_A)/(M_W)(V_Wf). The conversation emphasizes the application of momentum conservation and the need for clarity in the time calculation.
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Homework Statement


An astronaut is a distance L from her spaceship, and is at rest with respect to the ship, when she discovers that her tether has broken. She tosses a wrench with a speed of V_W in the opposite direction of the ship to propel herself back to the ship. The astronaut has mass M_A, and the wrench has mass M_W.

How long does it take her to reach the ship in terms of L, M_A, M_W and V_W?

Homework Equations



Conservation of momentum: P_i=P_f
I don't know what equation to use to find time? v= d/t?

The Attempt at a Solution


(M_A+M_W)(V_i)=(M_W)(V_Wf)-(M_A)(V_Af)
V_Af=(M_f)(V_Wf)/(M_A)

t=d/v
t=(L)(M_A)/(M_W)(V_Wf)

Is that right? Thanks.
 
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Seems correct to me.
 
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