Question

An 91.0 kg spacewalking astronaut pushes off a 640 kg satellite, exerting a 85.0 N force for the 0.450 s it takes him to straighten his arms.

How far apart are the astronaut and the satellite after 1.10 min ?

Express your answer with the appropriate units.

I got 33.6 m, but its not accepting the anser.

Answer 1

here,

mass of spacewalking astronaut , m1 = 91 kg

mass of satellite , m2 = 640 kg

F = 85 N

the accelration of astronaut , a1 = F/m1

a1 = 85/91 m/s^2 = 0.934 m/s^2

the accelration of satellite , a2 = F/m2

a2 = 85/640 m/s^2 = 0.133 m/s^2

time of accelration , t1 = 0.45 s

the relative final speed , v = 0 + (a1 + a2) * t1

v = ( 0.934 + 0.133) * 0.45 = 0.48 m/s

t2 = 1.1 min = 66 s

the sepration between them , s = (0 + 0.5 * (a1 + a2) * t1^2) + v * t2)

s = ((0.5 * (0.934 + 0.133) * 0.45^2) + 0.48 * 66) m

s = 31.8 m