College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 8 - Conceptual Questions - Page 309: 17

Answer

To create angular momentum with respect to the center of the bolt, the astronaut should be in motion with respect to the satellite. Then when the wrench is applied to the bolt, by conservation of angular momentum, the bolt can be removed by the astronaut.

Work Step by Step

The astronaut has no angular momentum with respect to the center of the bolt. To remove the bolt, the astronaut needs to create some angular momentum around the center of the bolt. Since the astronaut has no ground to stand on, the astronaut needs to find a different method. To create angular momentum with respect to the center of the bolt, the astronaut should be in motion with respect to the satellite. Then when the wrench is applied to the bolt, by conservation of angular momentum, the bolt can be removed by the astronaut.
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