---
title: "An astronaut of mass \\( m_A = 80 \\text{ kg} \\) is floating in space next to a large satellite of mass \\( m_S = 800 \\text{ kg} \\). The astronaut and satellite are initially at rest relative to one another. The astronaut then pushes on the satellite, causing both to move apart. Which of the following correctly compares the magnitude of the force exerted by the astronaut on the satellite, \\( F_{A \\to S} \\), to the magnitude of the force exerted by the satellite on the astronaut, \\( F_{S \\to A} \\), and compares their resulting accelerations?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109504/"
date_modified: "2026-03-25T04:13:08+00:00"
---

# An astronaut of mass \( m_A = 80 \text{ kg} \) is floating in space next to a large satellite of mass \( m_S = 800 \text{ kg} \). The astronaut and satellite are initially at rest relative to one another. The astronaut then pushes on the satellite, causing both to move apart. Which of the following correctly compares the magnitude of the force exerted by the astronaut on the satellite, \( F_{A \to S} \), to the magnitude of the force exerted by the satellite on the astronaut, \( F_{S \to A} \), and compares their resulting accelerations?

An astronaut of mass \( m_A = 80 \text{ kg} \) is floating in space next to a large satellite of mass \( m_S = 800 \text{ kg} \). The astronaut and satellite are initially at rest relative to one another. The astronaut then pushes on the satellite, causing both to move apart. Which of the following correctly compares the magnitude of the force exerted by the astronaut on the satellite, \( F_{A \to S} \), to the magnitude of the force exerted by the satellite on the astronaut, \( F_{S \to A} \), and compares their resulting accelerations?

![An astronaut in a white space suit is shown floating in the vacuum of space. The astronaut's hands are pressed against a large, rectangular metallic satellite that has solar panels attached. Arrows indicate that the astronaut is pushing away from the satellite. The astronaut is labeled 'm_A' and the satellite is labeled 'm_S'.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1774411988-TtWGL4.jpg)

- **A.** \( F_{A \to S} = F_{S \to A} \) because they are an interaction pair, and the astronaut experiences a greater acceleration because the astronaut has less mass.
- **B.** \( F_{A \to S} > F_{S \to A} \) because the astronaut is the one actively performing the push, and the astronaut experiences a greater acceleration because the net force on the astronaut is larger.
- **C.** \( F_{A \to S} < F_{S \to A} \) because the satellite has more inertia and resists the push more strongly, and the satellite experiences a smaller acceleration because of its larger mass.
- **D.** \( F_{A \to S} = F_{S \to A} \) because they are an interaction pair, and the astronaut and satellite experience the same magnitude of acceleration because the force acting on each is identical.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109504/*