Question

Two ice skaters are initially at rest. The 78. 2 kg male ice skater pushes his 48. 5 kg female partner forward and away from his body with a velocity of 8. 46 m/s. What is the male skater's velocity as a result of the push?.

Answer 1

Momentum is conserved, so

(78.2 kg) (0 m/s) + (48.5 kg) (0 m/s) = (78.2 kg) v + (48.5 kg) (8.46 m/s)

Solve for v :

0 = (78.2 kg) v + (48.5 kg) (8.46 m/s)

(78.2 kg) v = -(48.5 kg) (8.46 m/s)

v = -(48.5 kg) (8.46 m/s) / (78.2 kg)

v ≈ -5.25 m/s

which is to say, the male skater acquires a velocity of 5.25 m/s in the opposite direction.