Question

Two students, standing on skateboards, are initially at rest, when they give each other a shove! After the shove, one student (77kg) moves to the left at 5.7m/s while the other student (59kg) moves right.

Answer 1

The other student (59kg) moves right at 7.44 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the first student, m₁ = 77kg

mass of the second student, m₂ = 59kg

initial velocity of the first student, u₁ = 0

initial velocity of the second student, u₂ = 0

final velocity of the first student, v₁ = 5.7 m/s left

final velocity of the second student, v₂ = ? right

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum;

Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

(77 x 0) + (59 x 0) = (-77 x 5.7) + (59 x v₂)

0 = - 438.9 + 59v₂

59v₂ = 438.9

v₂ = 438.9 / 59

v₂ = 7.44 m/s to the right

Therefore, the other student (59kg) moves right at 7.44 m/s