Answer to Question #249270 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for sciencewhiz

Question

Astronauts in orbit are apparently weightless. This means that a clever method of measuring the mass of astronauts is needed to monitor their mass gains or losses, and adjust their diet. One way to do this is to exert a known force on an astronaut and measure the acceleration produced. Suppose a net external force of 50.0 N is exerted, and an astronaut's acceleration is measured to be 0.893 m/s (a) Calculate her mass. (b) By exerting a force on the astronaut, the vehicle in which she orbits experiences an equal and opposite force. Discuss how this would affect the measurement of the astronaut's acceleration. Propose a method by which recoil of the vehicle is avoided.

Answer 1

a)

$m=\frac Fa=\frac{50}{0.893}=56~kg,$

b)

the vehicle should be fixed.