Question

A prospector finds himself holding his bag of gold and standing in the middle of a large pond of frictionless ice. Use the Law of Conservation of Momentum to explain how he can get to the side before he freezes

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

He can not walk on the ice because ice is frictionless . But he can move to shore or side using law of conservation of momentum . He will throw the bag of gold towards the side opposite to shore . This will create a motion in himself in opposite direction according to law of conservation of momentum.

Let m and M be mass of bag and prospector , v and V be velocity created in bag and prospector after throw of bag . Initially , both bag and prospector were at rest so initial momentum = 0 . Final momentum of both = mv - MV .

negative sign is due to their opposite motion .

According to law of conservation of momentum

MV - mv = 0

MV = mv

In this way he can create motion in himself to move to side .