Chapter 8, Problem 52A

A group of playful astronauts, each with a bag full of balls, form a circle as they free-fall in space. Describe what happens when they begin tossing balls simultaneously to one another.

To determine

To Explain: The process when astronauts begin tossing balls simultaneously to one another.

Answer to Problem 52A

The circle becomes larger if the astronaut throws and catch the balls. With each toss and catch, the speed of each astronauts away from the circle center will increased.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Impact is the maximum force which is applied for an instant of time during the collision of two or more bodies.

The ball exerts an impulse on the astronaut in a direction away from the circle center, when each time an astronaut throws a ball and similarly an impulse is exerted on the astronaut away from the circle center, if each time the astronaut catches a ball. The circle becomes larger if the astronaut throws and catch the balls. With each toss and catch, the speed of each astronauts away from the circle center will increase.

Conclusion:

Thus, the speed of each astronauts away from the circle center will increase.