- #1
Avgiu
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between the moon and the Earth a Spaceship travels. A person goes on a spacewalk and pushes the tractor trailer sized vehicle. Will the person be pushed back even though things in zero gravity have no mass?
Between the moon and the Earth a Spaceship travels
In summary, a person pushing a tractor trailer sized vehicle while on a spacewalk will experience an equal but opposite force from the tractor due to Newton's third law. This is because objects still have mass in space, and mass always has inertia. The person would not be pushed back more than the tractor, as the forces are equal, but they may experience a stronger acceleration due to having less mass than the tractor. This can be compared to trying to jump on Earth and make it move, where the person would not have enough force to make a noticeable difference due to the Earth's larger mass.
- #2
Poncho
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There is still mass in space. You sure are pumping out a lot of questions Avgiu.
- #3
moose
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Mass always has inertia, and an object's mass doesn't change either(only the weight changes).
Similarly, if you were to try to kick a bowling ball in space, you would hurt your foot the same way as you would on earth.
Similarly, if you were to try to kick a bowling ball in space, you would hurt your foot the same way as you would on earth.
- #4
Doc Al
Mentor
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- 2,230
If the person pushes on the tractor, then the tractor will push back on the person. That's Newton's 3rd law.Avgiu said:
Note:
(1) Things still have mass regardless of gravity.
(2) Not sure what you mean by "zero gravity"; gravity still exists between the Earth and the moon. (Unless you go to the exact spot where the attractions cancel.)
(3) Perhaps you are thinking of weightlessness, which is not the absence of gravity, but the absence of a contact force supporting a body. It's only the apparent weight that is zero.
- #5
Intuitive
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Avgiu said:
If you pushed off of a tractor in space you would be pushed away from the tractor more than the tractor, You would experience most of the force of your push because the tractor has more mass, The more mass the tractor has the less force it will experience from your lesser mass and force of your push. Here's an analogy, Try jumping onto the Earth and make it move, you do not have enough force to make a big difference, The Earth is a body in space just like the tractor.
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- #6
russ_watters
Mentor
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No. The forces (due to Newton's third) are exactly equal. The accelerations are what are different.Intuitive said:
- #7
Intuitive
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russ_watters said:
I used the word force in place of the word acceleration, Sorry. My bad.
Related to Between the moon and the Earth a Spaceship travels
1. How long does it take for a spaceship to travel between the moon and the Earth?
The length of time depends on the speed of the spaceship and the distance between the moon and the Earth. On average, it takes about three days for a spaceship to travel from the Earth to the moon.
2. How does a spaceship navigate between the moon and the Earth?
Spaceships use a combination of different navigation systems, including computerized guidance systems, radar, and visual cues. They also rely on precise calculations of the trajectory and gravitational pull of the moon and the Earth.
3. Can a spaceship travel between the moon and the Earth without any fuel?
No, a spaceship requires fuel to power its engines and move through space. However, with advancements in technology, spacecrafts are becoming more efficient and require less fuel to travel longer distances.
4. Is there any danger of collision with other objects while traveling between the moon and the Earth?
Yes, there is a potential for collision with other objects in space. However, extensive precautions and planning are taken to ensure the safety of the spaceship and its crew, including the use of tracking systems and maneuvering techniques.
5. How does the lack of gravity in space affect the journey between the moon and the Earth?
The lack of gravity in space affects the journey in terms of propulsion and navigation. Spaceships use thrusters and other methods to simulate gravity and control their movement. Additionally, without gravity, astronauts may experience physiological changes and require specialized training and equipment to adapt to the environment.
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