An astronaut floating in the International Space Station is holding a crate that

Question

An astronaut floating in the International Space Station is holding a crate that has less mass than she does. When she is not held in place by straps or by holding on to railings, which of the following descibes her motion if she pushes on the crate This is not possible, because there is no gravity She will move in the opposite direction of the crate, and her speed will be more than that of the crate. She will move in the same direction as the crate at the same speed She will move in the opposite direction from the crate, and her speed will be less than that of the crate.

Explanation / Answer

It is the last option

Both of the masses (astronaut & crate) are held without any support. Now due to the application of force the crate has to move. But, to conserve the linear momentum, the astronaut should also move in the opposite direction slightly. This slight movement depends how large is the second mass in comparison to the crate.

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