Should a Space Explorer Push or Kick a Floating Rock?

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In a discussion about whether a space explorer should push or kick a floating rock in a cabin, the consensus leans towards gently pushing it due to the principles of inertia. The size of the rock influences the decision, but inertia remains constant regardless of the absence of gravity in space. Kicking a large rock, similar to kicking one suspended on Earth, could lead to unpredictable movement. The discussion emphasizes that external gravitational forces are irrelevant in this scenario, as only relative motion matters. Ultimately, the focus is on understanding inertia and its effects in a zero-gravity environment.
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A space explorer is moving through space far from any planet or star and notices a large rock, taken as a specimen from an alien planet, floating around the cabin of the ship. Should the explorer push it gently or kick it toward the storage compartment? Why?

I have NO idea which is correct. lol
 
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What would you do? And why?
 
Unity said:
A space explorer is moving through space far from any planet or star and notices a large rock, taken as a specimen from an alien planet, floating around the cabin of the ship. Should the explorer push it gently or kick it toward the storage compartment? Why?

I have NO idea which is correct. lol

Depends on the size of the rock, but due to inertia you are better off pushing it gently...

if you wouldn't kick a large rock hung by a string on earth, than you don't want to kick it in space. the fact is for the purposes of this demonstration gravity has no effect on lateral movement.

In other words the rocks inertial resistance will be the same on Earth as it would be in space.

The whole thing about being far away from a planet or sun is really pointless, other than to say you will only be contending with the rocks inertia unaffected by an outside force pushing against your foot through the rock. but if the rocks is floating in the middle of the spaceship than the whole discussion of external gravitational forces is moot. (only relative motion would matter)

The point of this question is to demonstrate inertia.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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