Question

Two ice skaters suddenly push off against one another starting from a stationary position. The 45-kg skater acquires a speed of 0.375 m/s relative to the ice. What speed does the 60-kg

Answer 1

The speed is
`v_2 = 0.2813 \ m/s`

Step-by-step explanation:

From the question we are told that

The mass of the first skater is
`m_1 = 45 \ kg`

The final speed of the first skater is
`v_1 = 0.375 \ m/ s`

The mass of the second skater is
`m_2 = 60 \ kg`

According to the principle of linear momentum conservation

`Initial \ momentum = final \ momentum`

Here
`Initial momentum = (m_1 + m_2) * u`

Since they they started from a stationary position

`u = 0`

So

`Initial \ momentum = 0 \ m/s`

While

`final \ momentum = m_1* v_1 + m_2 * v_2`

substituting values

`final \ momentum = (45 * 0.375) +(60 * v_2)`

So
`(45 * 0.375) +(60 * v_2) = 0`

=>
`v_2 = 0.2813 \ m/s`