Astronaut X throws a container to Astronaut Y while they are connected by a taut cable and stationary relative to a space station. Figure 1 shows Astronaut Y beginning to move left after the throw due to momentum transfer through the cable. Figure 2 shows Astronaut Y moving right after catching the container due to an additional momentum change from catching the container. The motion of Astronaut Y is left in Figure 1 and right in Figure 2.

1. Astronaut Astronaut X Figure 1 Astronaut Y Astronaut X Figure 2 35. Two astronauts are
connected by a taut cable and are initially at rest with respect to a nearby space station. Astronaut
X throws a large container to Astronaut Y. Figure 1 above shows the astronauts immediately
after the container is thrown by Astronaut X, and Figure 2 shows the astronauts immediately
after the container is caught by Astronaut Y. Which of the following describes the motion of
Astronaut Y in Figures 1 and 2? Figure l Figure 2 (A) Does not move (B) Moves to the left (C)
Does not move (D) Moves to the left Moves to the right Moves to the right Does not move Does
not move
Solution
1. When Astronaut X throws the container the container moves towards right, due to
conversation of momentum, the astronaut X will move to the left , since Y is also connected to
X, he will start moving towards left.
2. Since Y is already in motion towards left, if he catches the container, due to conservation of
momentum, he will start moving to the right. Hence B.