If I was in space !!!!!?

Question

If I was in space, doing a space-walk, and I pushed with as much force as I could against the side of the space shuttle, which would move, me or the shuttle and how far would I or the shuttle travel?

Answer 1

You would both travel at equal speed apart from each other.

Answer 2

You would accelerate in opposite directions with equal change in momentum. Momentum is directly proportional to mass and velocity, so your velocity would be inversely proportional to your mass relative to that of the shuttle. You and the shuttle would both continue to also travel in the original direction of motion; you and the shuttle wouldn't have been at a standstill in space. Motion would theoretically continue infinitely because there is no friction in space. In actuality, though, the shuttle's nav system would presumably correct for the change, and you are tethered to it.

Answer 3

You and the space shuttle would both move apart. You would move much quicker than the shuttle as you are not as heavy. The conservation of momentum law ensures this. Momentum (p) is mass times velocity (p=mv).

For example:

A shuttle in orbit has a mass of around 80 tonnes, or 80000kg.

A modern space suit has a mass of around 50kg, assuming you are an average man of mass 70kg, or woman of mass 55kg you total mass will be 120kg or 105kg.

If you pushed off the side of the shuttle in its center of mass (i.e. the "middle"), and you flew away at 5 mph (in scientific terms 2.2352 meters per second), your momentum will be 120*2.2352=268.224 kg m/s for a man, or 105*2.2352=234.696 kg m/s for a woman.

The shuttle's momentum will be the same as yours. So, to calculate its velocity, you divide its momentum by its mass:

Man pushing: 268.224/80000=0.0033528 m/s or 0.0075 mph...er, rather slow!

Woman pushing: 234.696/80000=0.0029337 m/s or 0.0066 mph...er, even slower!!

This is an example of Newtons 3rd law of motion:

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."

How far would you travel? You and the shuttle would in theory fly apart for ever. Newtons first law of motion states: "Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it."

In other words, once you are moving, you won't stop until you brake.

Answer 4

You would both be moved, but as the shuttle has more mass and therefor more inertia, it would rebound less than you. Plus, you would have to take ito account the vectors of your initial velocities before the push. The shuttle and the astronauts in or around it moves along at approximately 17,000MPH.

Answer 5

Both yourself and the shuttle would move in opposite directions at the same speed indefinitely, until you or it encountered the gravitational pull of a planet or some other celestial body! Also, comets, meteorites, other shuttles would all have an effect on your journey!

Answer 6

You would move in respect to the shuttle. Don't forget the shuttle is in motion, orbitting the Earth.

Answer 7

You would both move in opposite directions until acted upon by a different force, e.g. shuttle thrusters, the earth.

You would move at greater speed due to the differential in mass.

Answer 8

You would both move as every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If you were in space you would both travel at that speed until something stopped you ie, another force.

Answer 9

you would move more because you have less mass, you would continue moving unless you were somehow harnessed and you would not be moving very quickly on your vector away from the shuttle.

Answer 10

both.. in opposite direction.. How fast wld depends on how heavy u n de shuttle is.. Conservation of momentum.. mv = mv