Conservation of Momentum possibly?

In summary: Some assumptions need to be made...In summary, the conversation discusses a space traveler who is stuck floating without gravity and realizes that throwing his lunch in one direction can help him move. He calculates that if he throws his entire lunch, he will float at a speed of 1 m/s towards the wall. However, he does not want to part with his meatloaf and the conversation ends with a question about how fast he can float towards the wall if he throws everything except the meatloaf. There is not enough information to solve the problem and some assumptions need to be made.
  • #1
JuliusDarius
25
0

Homework Statement


An space traveler is eating his lunch in his spaceship when he realizes he has drifted into the middle of the room and can not grab any of the walls. Stuck, floating without gravity to pull him to the floor, he comes up with an idea.

He realizes that if he starts throwing his lunch in one direction, he will float the other way due to conservation of momentum. He quickly calculates that if he throws his entire lunch at once, he will float at a speed of 1 m/s towards the wall.

However, the crafty spaceman doesn’t want to part with his Meatloaf. How fast can he float towards the wall if he throws everything in his lunch except his meatloaf? Assume he weighs 150kg and the meatloaf weighs .5kg.


Homework Equations



Not sure

The Attempt at a Solution



Not sure where to begin.

Thanks for the help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
There doesn't seem to be sufficient information to solve this problem. Does the space traveler throw the lunch without meatloaf at a faster speed, and if so, does the lighter lunch end up with the same momentum as the heavier lunch? This would assume the space traveler imparted the same impulse (force x time) in both cases, but that would involve more power (force x speed) in the second case.
 

FAQ: Conservation of Momentum possibly?

1. What is the conservation of momentum?

The conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant, regardless of any external forces acting on the system. In other words, momentum cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred from one object to another.

2. Why is the conservation of momentum important?

The conservation of momentum is important because it helps to explain and predict the motion of objects in a variety of scenarios, from collisions to explosions. It is also a fundamental principle in understanding the behavior of larger systems, such as planets in orbit or galaxies in motion.

3. How is momentum conserved in a collision?

In a collision between two objects, the total momentum of the system before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This means that if one object gains momentum, the other object must lose an equal amount of momentum in order to maintain the total momentum of the system.

4. What factors can affect the conservation of momentum?

The conservation of momentum can be affected by external forces, such as friction or air resistance, which can cause the total momentum of a system to change. Additionally, in certain scenarios, the conservation of momentum may not hold true, such as in nuclear reactions or in systems involving very small particles.

5. Can the conservation of momentum be violated?

In most cases, the conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle that holds true in all physical interactions. However, there are certain scenarios, such as those involving very high speeds or extreme forces, where the conservation of momentum may not hold true. These cases are usually explained by more complex theories, such as relativity or quantum mechanics.

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
21
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top