Physics Calculation

Question

An astronaut has a mass of 300 kg in his space suit. While using a hammer with a mass of 1.0 kg, he loses his grip and the hammer flies into space at a velocity of 7.0 m/sec. what velocity will the astronaut gain in the opposite direction?

Answer 1

Use conservation of momentum. The momenta after the astronaut releases the hammer are in opposite directions, so

M_hammer x V_hammer = M_astronaut x V_astronaut

1.0 kg x 7 m\s = 300 kg x V_astronaut

V_{astronaut = 0.023 m/s}