Need help with this physics problem. How do you go about figuring it out?
2007-10-24 06:24:20 · 2 answers · asked by Michelle W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
gebobs' answer is wrong. His formula works only for the short time (0.49s) during which the force is being applied. You can't use the same formula after the two objects are no longer pushing against each other (because then their acceleration is zero).
Each object receives an "impulse" equal to (force)×(time).
The impulse on an object equals its change in momentum.
Impulse = force × time = (m_man)(v_man)
Impulse = force × time = (m_satellite)(v_satellite)
They give you "force", "time", "m_man", "m_satellite"; so from that you can figure out "v_man" and "v_satellite".
Since they're moving in opposite directions, the relative speed of the man & satellite is:
v_relative = v_man + v_satellite
Their separation after time "t" is:
separation = (v_relative) × (t)
2007-10-24 06:48:45 · answer #1 · answered by RickB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a(man) = F/m = 105/88 = 1.19 m/sec²
a(sat) = F/m = 105/625 = 0.168 m/sec²
a(tot) = 1.26m/sec m/sec²
x = ½at² = ½1.26(0.49)² = 0.151m
I think the second part you mean after 1.2 sec. If so,
x = ½at² = ½1.26(1.2)² = 0.907m
All answers should be to 3 sig figs.
2007-10-24 06:40:12 · answer #2 · answered by gebobs 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋