An astronaut in space cannot use a scale or balance to weigh objects because the

Question

An astronaut in space cannot use a scale or balance to weigh objects because there is no gravity. But she does have devices to measure distance and time accurately. She knows her own mass is 87.2 kg, but she is unsure of the mass of a large gas canister in the airless rocket. When this canister is approaching her at 3.80 m/s , she pushes against it, which slows it down to 1.20 m/s(but does not reverse it) and gives her a speed of 2.00m/s .
a.)What is the mass of this canister?
b.)How much kinetic energy is

Explanation / Answer

by momentum

Mc*(-3.80) = Mc*(-1.20) + 87.2* (-2)

Mc = 67.07 kg

k.e lost = 0.5*67.07*3.80^2 - ( 0.5*67.07*1.20^2 + 0.5*87.2*2^2)

= 261.55 J

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