Question

Two stationary ice skaters, Lee and Jim, push against each other's hands. Jim's mass is twice that of Lee. How do their speeds compare after the push-off?

1) Lee's speed is twice that of Jim's
2) Jim's speed is twice that of Lee's
3) Lee's speed is equal to Jim's
4) Their speeds cannot be determined without additional information

Answer 1

Jim's speed is slower than Lee's.

Step-by-step explanation:

When two stationary ice skaters push against each other's hands, their speeds after the push-off will depend on their masses. In this case, Jim's mass is twice that of Lee. According to Newton's third law of motion, the force exerted on each skater is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. However, because Jim has a greater mass, he will experience a smaller acceleration compared to Lee. As a result, Jim's speed will be slower than Lee's after the push-off.

Therefore, the correct answer is 2) Jim's speed is slower than Lee's.