Question

A small piece of space junk is at rest in outer space. A very small asteroid strikes it, exerting a force on it that is NOT directed through the piece of space junk's center of mass.
Which of the following describes the motion of the piece of space junk DURING the asteroid strike?

• A. Because the asteroid is small, the space junk remains at rest
• B. The piece of space junk spins, but does NOT move linearly
• C. The piece of space junk moves at constant velocity linearly, but does NOT spin
• D. The piece of space junk accelerates linearly, but does NOT spin
• E. The piece of space junk accelerates linearly, AND spins

Answer 1

The correct option is E The piece of space junk accelerates linearly, AND spins

Due to striking the space junk, the asteroid will exert a force on the junk piece.

This force is not directed towards the of mass of the junk.

Hence the junk would experience a linear acceleration given by $a=\frac{F}{m}$

And also the angular acceleration as provided by the force=$\frac{Fl}{I}$

where $l$ is the least distance between the center of mass of junk and line along which asteroid moves,

and $I$ is the moment of inertia of the space junk.