Question

warmup #2 an astronaut on the international space station is doing a spacewalk to fix a solar panel that has malfunctioned. while he is completing his task, a piece of space junk flies past and cuts the line that has him tethered to the space station. he begins to float away and must think quickly in order to get himself back to safety. all the astronaut has with him on his suit are some small tools and a can of compressed air. what would be the most effective way for the astronaut to get him to safety?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's third law

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Step2: Consider available resources

The astronaut has small tools and a can of compressed air.

Step3: Determine the best - action

By expelling the compressed air in the opposite direction of the space - station, according to Newton's third law, the astronaut will experience a reaction force pushing them back towards the space - station.

Answer:

The astronaut should expel the compressed air in the direction opposite to the space - station to create a reaction force that will push them back towards safety.