Question

A satellite orbiting Earth at a velocity of 3700 m/s collides with a piece of
space debris traveling at 6000 m/s. If the objects have the same mass and
the space debris has a velocity after collision of 3700 m/s, what is the
velocity of the satellite after the collision?
A. 3000 m/s
B. 6000 m/s
c. 5000 m/s
D. 4000 m/s

Answer 1

Answer: B

Explanation:

You can use the conservation of momentum, under the assumption that no mass was lost when the collision occurred. The initial momentum of the system must equal the final momentum of the system. Our system is the region including, and only including, the satellite and the space debris. Classical momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity:

$p_i=p_f$

$m_1v_1_i+m_2v_2_i=m_1v_1_f+m_2v_2_f$

Due to mass 1 equaling mass 2, we can factor these quantities out:

$m(v_1_i+v_2_i)=m(v_1_f+v_2_f)$

Cancel the mass term on both sides to get:

$v_1_i+v_2_i=v_1_f+v_2_f$

We have the initial and final velocities for everything besides the final velocity of the satellite. Plug everything in:

$3700m/s+6000m/s=v_1_f+3700m/s$

$v_1_f=6000m/s$