An astronaut working with many tools some distance away from a spacecraft is stranded when the "maneuvering unit" malfunctions. How can the astronaut return to the spacecraft by sacrificing some of the tools? (Note: the maneuvering unit is connected to the astronaut's spacesuit and is not removable)

Question

Physics

Liberty Powell

3 March, 05:26

An astronaut working with many tools some distance away from a spacecraft is stranded when the "maneuvering unit" malfunctions. How can the astronaut return to the spacecraft by sacrificing some of the tools? (Note: the maneuvering unit is connected to the astronaut's spacesuit and is not removable)

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Answers (1)

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Alfonso Duffy · Answer 1

He can return to the spacecraft by sacrificing some of the tools employing the principle of conservation of momentum.

Explanation:

By carefully evaluating his direction back to the ship, the astronaut can throw some of his tools in the opposite direction to that. On throwing those tools of a certain mass, they travel at a certain velocity giving him velocity in the form of recoil in the opposite direction of the velocity of the tools. This is same as a gun and bullet recoil momentum conservation. It is also the principle on which the operational principles of their maneuvering unit is designed.