How to Calculate Fall Duration with Variable Force?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the duration of fall for an astronaut who is 20 meters away from a shuttle, with the assumption that only gravitational force is acting on the astronaut. The context is a mechanics exercise for a class, exploring gravitational forces and the implications of mass and distance in such scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Dylan, seeks to understand how to calculate the fall duration of an astronaut from a distance of 20 meters to a shuttle, assuming they start from rest.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of the initial question and suggests that the mass of the objects involved may be relevant.
  • Dylan clarifies that the astronaut weighs 100 kg and the shuttle 10,000 kg, and specifies that the distance is measured from the centers of mass.
  • Dylan expresses difficulty in applying Newton's laws to find the duration of the fall.
  • A later reply indicates that the thread should be reposted in a specific homework section and suggests checking related threads for additional context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to approach the problem, and there is a lack of clarity in the initial question. Multiple viewpoints regarding the relevance of mass and distance are presented, but no definitive method for calculation is established.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the initial problem statement, including assumptions about mass and the need for clearer definitions of distance in relation to the centers of mass.

Dylanden
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Hello.

How can one calculate the duration of fall of an astronaut "lost" to 20 m of his shuttle? We can assume that they are stopped at the beginning of the fall.
I do not see how.

Dylan
 
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Dylanden said:
Hello.

How can one calculate the duration of fall of an astronaut "lost" to 20 m of his shuttle? We can assume that they are stopped at the beginning of the fall.
I do not see how.

Dylan
Your question is completely unclear. I cannot figure out WHAT you are trying to ask.
 
Hello.

Thank you for your answer

I just want to make an exercice for my lesson.
Imagine we have a shuttle in the space and an astronaut at about 20 m from its.
How many time does it take to the astronaut to fall on his shuttle.
There is only the gravitational force in action.
Sorry for my poor english.

Dylan
 
Dylanden said:
Hello.

Thank you for your answer

I just want to make an exercice for my lesson.
Imagine we have a shuttle in the space and an astronaut at about 20 m from its.
How many time does it take to the astronaut to fall on his shuttle.
There is only the gravitational force in action.
Sorry for my poor english.

Dylan
(1) Uh ... do you think it matters how much mass is involved?
(2) You say "about 20m from it" but that's probably 20m from the SKIN. How far from the center of mass?

You really don't seem to have thought through what you need to know to make this a meaningful question.
 
Hello.

It's only for my mechanics class.
To illustrate the gravitational forces.
Let's say that the astronaut weighs 100 kg.
And the shuttle 10000 kg. For simplicity.
And that the distance of 20 m is measured between the centers of mass. And that the astronaut must arrive 5 m from the center of mass of the shuttle to be able to seize it with his hand.
My students are francophones. They asked the question on different physics sites in French. I have not read all the answers yet. But it's very confusing. I hope you can help me.
I tried to integrate Newton's laws. To find the duration. I can not do it.

Good day there.

Dylan
 
Last edited:

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