College Physics (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32160-183-1
ISBN 13: 978-0-32160-183-4

Chapter 6 - Linear Momentum and Collisions - Learning Path Questions and Exercises - Exercises - Page 217: 37

Answer

Astronaut moves with a speed of 0.083 m/s in the opposite direction.

Work Step by Step

According to the law of conservation of linear momentum, Final momentum= Initial momentum That is, $m_{a}v_{a}+m_{h}v_{h}=0$ $\implies v_{a}=\frac{-m_{h}v_{h}}{m_{a}}=\frac{-0.50kg\times10m/s}{60kg}=-0.083\,m/s$ The negative sign indicates that the astronaut is moving in the opposite direction.
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