Question

You (50 kg) are standing on a skateboard when your friend throws a 5 kg ball at 10 m/s towards your head. You catch the ball to save your face. Describe your motion after you catch the ball, use numbers.​

Answer 1

v₁ = 1 [m/s].

Step-by-step explanation:

This problem can be solved by using the principle of conservation of linear momentum. Where momentum is conserved before and after catching the snowball.

`P=m*v`

where:

P = linear momentum [kg*m/s]

m = mass [kg]

v = velocity [m/s]

`P=m*v\\P=5*10\\P=50[m/s]`

As the momentum is conserved, it will be the same as that received by the person who catches the snowball.

`50= 50*v_(1)\\v_(1)=1[m/s]`

That is, the person who catches the snowball moves backwards with a speed of 1 [m/s].