Question

Recoil is noticeable if we throw a heavy ball while standing on a skateboard. If instead we go through the throwing motion but hold onto the ball, without friction effects our net recoil will be

A) zero.

B) the same as before.

C) small, but noticeable.

Answer 1

A) zero.

Step-by-step explanation:

If we go through the throwing motion but still hold onto the ball, then there will be 2 events:

1. you undergo the throwing motion, giving the ball's acceleration

2. you decelerate the ball so you can still hold onto it

Event 1 and 2 roughly need the same energy, but with the opposite vector. The sum of energy used for both events should be zero so the net recoil will also be zero too.