An astronaut is a short distance away from her space station without a tether rope. She has a large wrench. What should she do with the wrench to move toward the space station?

a. Throw it directly toward the space station.

b. Throw it directly away from the space station.

c. Throw it opposite to the direction of the station's orbit.

d. Throw it parallel to the direction of the station's orbit.

e. Throw it toward the station without letting go of it.

Question

Physics

Autumn Harrison

12 February, 11:57

An astronaut is a short distance away from her space station without a tether rope. She has a large wrench. What should she do with the wrench to move toward the space station?

a. Throw it directly toward the space station.

b. Throw it directly away from the space station.

c. Throw it opposite to the direction of the station's orbit.

d. Throw it parallel to the direction of the station's orbit.

e. Throw it toward the station without letting go of it.

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Will Skinner · Answer 1

Answer: b. Throw it directly away from the space station.

Explanation:

According to Newton's third law of motion, when two bodies interact between them, appear equal forces and opposite senses in each of them.

To understand it better:

Each time a body or object exerts a force on a second body or object, it (the second body) will exert a force of equal magnitude but in the opposite direction on the first.

So, if the astronaut throws the wrench away from the space station (in the opposite direction of the space station), according to Newton's third law, she will be automatically moving towards the station and be safe.