Momentum conservation? stranded in space push on something to get to ship

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario in which a person, stranded in space, pushes against a large mass to reach their ship. It centers on the principles of momentum conservation and kinematics, specifically calculating the distance traveled based on the given parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using momentum conservation to analyze the situation, with one participant attempting to apply it as an explosion problem. There are various attempts to calculate the distance using different velocities and methods, leading to questions about the validity of their approaches.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts and questioning the results of their calculations. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or outcome, and some participants express uncertainty about the results they obtained.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific masses and velocities, but there may be confusion regarding the application of momentum conservation and the resulting calculations. The problem constraints and the setup are being examined, but no resolution has been reached.

awertag
Messages
63
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



You have a 99 kg mass and are stranded away from your ship, at rest, next to a giant 1800 kg ball of space doody. You push on the doody giving it a speed of 0.11 m/s directly away from the ship. Seven-and-a-half seconds later you come into contact with your ship. What was the initial distance of separation between you and your ship?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


i tried doing it as an explosion problem with momentum conservation:
0=m1v1f + m2v2f
0=(99)(v1f)+(1800)(-11)
v1f=200 m/s

then i did d=vt to get d...got 750 metres, was wrong? help please!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
d = v*t = 200*7.5 = 1500 m.
 
haha right i know i tried that first. then i did average v = 100
 
Why?
 
i don't know...because 1500 wasnt right so i just tried something else
 

Similar threads

Conservation of Momentum Space Ship Problem
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Conservation of Momentum of astronaut leaving ship
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Confusion with "explosive" part, Conservation of Momentum
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Conservation of momentum problem regarding a missing mass of a ship
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
A bullet pushing a knot out of a wood block
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Physics 30 question about conservation of momentum
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Conservation of momentum of astronaut in her space suit
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
23K
Problem Set Involving Inertia and Balloons
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Conservation of Angular Momentum of Train on Disk
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad Confusion about conservation of energy vs. momentum
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K