Question

An ice skater with a mass of 70kg pushes off against a second skater with a mass of 30kg. Both skaters are initially at rest. a. What is the total momentum of the system

Answer 1

The total momentum of the system is 0 kg m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The total momentum of the system can be calculated by summing the individual momenta of the skaters. Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity. Since both skaters are initially at rest, their initial velocities are zero.

For the first skater with a mass of 70 kg:

Momentum = mass × velocity = 70 kg × 0 m/s = 0 kg m/s

For the second skater with a mass of 30 kg:

Momentum = mass × velocity = 30 kg × 0 m/s = 0 kg m/s

Therefore, the total momentum of the system is 0 kg m/s.