Question

During a planned manoeuvre in a space flight, a free-floating astronaut A pushes another free-floating astronaut B, the mass of A being greater than that of B. Then, the magnitude of the force exerted by astronaut A on astronaut B is

In the above problem, during a push

• A. Acceleration of A is greater than that of B
• B. Acceleration of A is less than that of B
• C. Neither is accelerated
• D. Their accelerations are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction

Answer 1

The correct option is B Acceleration of A is less than that of B

Force F = ma

When A pushes B, it is an action on B.

At same time, A will have reaction from B of same magnitude.

so, $m_A{a}_A=m_B{a}_B$

So if, $m_A>m_B$ then,

$a_A<a_B$

Option B is correct.