Question

A 100 kg cyclist travels at 4.5 m/s. A 50 kg gorilla is dropped straight down onto her. What is the new speed of the system?

Answer 1

Mass of cyclist = 100 kg

Mass of gorilla = 50 kg

Initial speed = 4.5 m/s

Let Final speed = s

100 x 4.5 = (100 + 50) x s

450 = 150s

S = 450/150

S = 3

The new speed is 3m/s