Physics

Problem

Two

80\,\text{kg}

astronauts are connected by a light

10\,\text{m}

rope and rotate in free space about their common midpoint. Each astronaut’s tangential speed is

2.0\,\text{m/s}

. They then pull themselves closer until they are

4.0\,\text{m}

apart. Neglecting external torques, what is each astronaut’s tangential speed after the rope shortens? a)

2.0\,\text{m/s}

10\,\text{m/s}

5.0\,\text{m/s}

2.5\,\text{m/s}