Momentum of Astronaut and Satellite

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving momentum, specifically the interaction between a 92-kg astronaut and a 1200-kg satellite in space. The astronaut pushes the satellite, resulting in a speed of 0.14 m/s, and the problem seeks to determine the initial distance from the shuttle to the astronaut based on the time taken to reach the shuttle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations related to momentum and the resulting distance, questioning the accuracy of the initial answer and the implications of decimal placement. There are considerations about the direction of velocity and the need for vector representation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, checking each other's calculations and discussing potential errors. There is a recognition of the importance of precision in calculations, particularly regarding significant figures and the interpretation of the problem's requirements.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of possible errors in calculations, including a delta-t issue and the treatment of velocity as a scalar or vector quantity. Participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their answers and the implications of their assumptions.

LastXdeth
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 92-kg astronaut and a 1200-kg satellite are at rest relative to the space shuttle. The astronaut pushes on the satellite, giving it a speed of 0.14 m/s directly away from the shuttle. Seven-and-a-half seconds later the astronaut comes into contact with the shuttle. What was the initial distance from the shuttle to the astronaut?


Homework Equations


(m1)(v1) = (m2)(v2)


The Attempt at a Solution


(1200)(14)=(92)(v2)

(v2)=182.61

d= vt

d=182.61*7

d=1278.26 m (Is this right?)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
LastXdeth said:
d=1278.26 m (Is this right?)
What does your gut tell you about that answer? How far is that?

Does that seem right - considering the velocity and time involved?

If no, go back and check all your numbers.
And your decimals.
 
Last edited:
DaveC426913 said:
What does your gut tell you about that answer? How far is that?

Does that seem right - considering the velocity and time involved?

If no, go back and check all your numbers.
And your decimals.

Oh, wow, another careless mistake like on my previous question...So, besides the "decimal manipulation", are there any other errors like lack of vectors (negative and positive). I am having a dilemma on whether to make v1 negative since it's going the opposite direction.
 
LastXdeth said:
Oh, wow, another careless mistake like on my previous question...So, besides the "decimal manipulation", are there any other errors like lack of vectors (negative and positive). I am having a dilemma on whether to make v1 negative since it's going the opposite direction.
There's also a delta-t issue.

As for neg and psotive, I suppose it depends on how rigorous you need your work to be. If you just need to supply the value, it'll work out.
 
DaveC426913 said:
There's also a delta-t issue.

As for neg and psotive, I suppose it depends on how rigorous you need your work to be. If you just need to supply the value, it'll work out.

I guess I just need the scaler quantity. Thanks for notcing my Δt error also. I need to read the questions more carefully.

By the way, I got my answer to be 13.725 meters if someone can confirm.
 
LastXdeth said:
I guess I just need the scaler quantity. Thanks for notcing my Δt error also. I need to read the questions more carefully.

By the way, I got my answer to be 13.725 meters if someone can confirm.
Hm. I get 13.7 - and that's rounded up from 13.695.

Ah. I see. Sig digs.
I did 1.826*7.5.
You did 1.83*7.5 = 13.725.

Well, it still rounds to 13.7.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Hm. I get 13.7 - and that's rounded up from 13.696.

It's just my lazy rounding error. Thanks for the confirmation!
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K