Mechanics: Momentum and Collisions
Momentum and Collisions: Audio Guided Solution
Extra Problem 10:
A 81.3-kg astronaut is working on the engines of his ship, which is drifting through space with a constant velocity. The astronaut, wishing, to get a better view of the universe, pushes against the ship and later finds himself 37.5 m behind the ship. Without a thruster, the only way to return to the ship is to throw his .572-kg wrench directly away from the ship. If he throws the wrench with a a speed of 23.3 m/s, how much time (in s) does it take the astronaut to reach the ship?
Audio Guided Solution
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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
An effective problem solver by habit approaches a physics problem in a manner that reflects a collection of disciplined habits. An effective problem-solver...
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...reads the problem carefully and develops a mental picture of the physical situation. If needed, they sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help visualize it.
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...identifies the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner, often times recording them on the diagram iteself. They equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., vo = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; vf = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.).
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...plots a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity; the strategy will typically center around the use of physics equations be heavily dependent upon an understaning of physics principles.
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...identifies the appropriate formula(s) to use, often times writing them down. Where needed, they perform the needed conversion of quantities into the proper unit.
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...performs substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.