Answered: One day while out on a space walk to…

College Physics

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305952300

Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille

Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille

Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...

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One day while out on a space walk to repair your ship, you notice that you have forgotten to tie off your tether! You and the heavy wrench you are carrying are drifting slowly away from the ship with a velocity of V₁ = -2.53 m/s (this is negative since you are moving left in the figure). Your mass (including your suit) is M = 111 kg and you are carrying a wrench of mass m = 8.56 kg. You are one smart astronaut and and you throw the wrench in the direction away from your ship as hard as you can. The result is that afterward, your velocity is V₂ = 0.74 m/s (this is positive since you are now moving right in the figure).

Determine all the following:
The velocity of the wrench at moment 2: v₂ =  m/s
The total kinetic energy of you and the wrench before the throw: KE₁ =  Joules
The total kinetic energy of you and the wrench after the throw: KE₂ =  Joules
Where did all the extra energy come from at moment #2?

Positive work done by you while throwing the wrench.Negative work done by you while throwing the wrench. Lowering the gravitational potential energy of the wrench.Gravity is doing positive work as you are orbiting Earth.

NOTE: Read the diagram carefully. All velocities should have the proper sign.

### Concept of Conservation of Momentum in Space

This diagram illustrates the principle of conservation of momentum, applied in a space environment. The visual is divided into two sections, each depicting a different moment in time:

#### Moment 1:
- **Astronaut with Wrench:**
- An astronaut is shown in space, holding a wrench.
- The wrench is moving to the left with velocity \( V_1 \).
- The direction to the right is indicated as the positive direction.

#### Moment 2:
- **Post-Action Consequence:**
- The moment after the astronaut releases the wrench.
- The wrench moves to the left with an unknown velocity \( V_2 \).
- The astronaut is propelled to the right with velocity \( V_2 \).
- The positive direction remains unchanged, pointing to the right.

This diagram highlights that when the wrench is thrown with a particular velocity in one direction, the astronaut moves in the opposite direction with a velocity influenced by the conservation of momentum. The total momentum before and after the action must remain constant, demonstrating a key principle in physics, especially relevant in environments with minimal external forces like space.

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