Question

Two students (90.0 kg and 60.0 kg) on roller skates face-to-face push against each other. The 90.0 kg student moves at 5.0 m/s just after their hands lose contact. What is the velocity of the other student?

Answer 1

Given that,

Mass of student 1, m₁ = 90 kg

Mass of student 2, m₂ = 60 kg

Speed of student 1, v₁ = 5 m/s

To find,

The velocity of the other student.

Solution,

Using the conservation of momentum to find the velocity of the other student. Let it is v₂.

`m_1v_1=m_2v_2\\\\v_2=(m_1v_1)/(m_2)\\\\v_2=(90* 5)/(60)\\\\=7.5\ m/s`

So, the velocity of the other student is 7.5 m/s.