Answer:
The astronauts are separated by 28 m.
Explanation:
The separation of the astronauts can be found by conservation of linear momentum:
[tex] p_{i} = p_{f} [/tex]
[tex] m_{1}v_{1i} + m_{2}v_{2i} = m_{1}v_{1f} + m_{2}v_{2f} [/tex]
[tex] m_{1}*0 + m_{2}*0 = m_{1}v_{1f} + m_{2}v_{2f} [/tex]
[tex] m_{1}v_{1f} = -m_{2}v_{2f} [/tex]
[tex] v_{1f} = -\frac{m_{2}v_{2f}}{m_{1}} = -\frac{80v_{2f}}{60} [/tex]
Now, the distance (x) is:
[tex] x = \frac{v}{t} [/tex]
The distance traveled by the astronaut 1 is:
[tex] x_{1} = v_{1f}*t = -\frac{80v_{2f}}{60}*t [/tex] (1)
And, the distance traveled by the astronaut 2 is:
[tex] x_{2} = v_{2f}*t [/tex] (2)
From the above equation we have:
[tex] t = \frac{x_{2}}{v_{2f}} [/tex] (3)
By entering equation (3) into (1) we have:
[tex] x_{1} = -\frac{80v_{2f}}{60}*(\frac{x_{2}}{v_{2f}}) [/tex]
[tex] x_{1} = -\frac{4*12}{3} = -16 m [/tex]
The minus sign is because astronaut 1 is moving in the opposite direction of the astronaut 2.
Finally, the separation of the astronauts is:
[tex] x_{T} = |x_{1}| + x_{2} = (16 + 12)m = 28 m [/tex]
Therefore, the astronauts are separated by 28 m.
I hope it helps you!
The total separation between the two astronauts is 28m.
The given parameters:
Apply the principle of conservation of momentum to determine the final velocity of each astronauts as follows;
[tex]m_1u_1 + m_2 u_2 = m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2\\\\60(0) + 80(0) = 60(v_1) + 80(v_2)\\\\0 = 60v_1 + 80v_2\\\\-60v_1 = 80v_2\\\\v_1 = \frac{-80v_2}{60} \\\\v_1 = -1.333v_2[/tex]
Let the time when astronaut 2 moved 12 m = t
The distance traveled by astronaut 1 is calculated as;
[tex]x_1 = v_1 t\\\\x_1 = -1.333v_2t[/tex]
The distance traveled by astronaut 2 is calculated as;
[tex]x_2 = v_2 t\\\\12 = v_2t\\\\t = \frac{12}{v_2}[/tex]
Now solve for the distance of astronaut 1
[tex]x_1 = - 1.333v_2 \times t\\\\x_1 = -1.333 v_2 \times \frac{12}{v_2} \\\\x_1 = -16 \ m[/tex]
The total separation between the two astronauts is calculated as follows;
[tex]d = |x_1| + x_2\\\\d = 16 + 12\\\\d = 28 \ m[/tex]
Learn more about conservation of linear momentum here: https://brainly.com/question/24424291
