Ice Skating Collision: Solving a Physics Problem

AI Thread Summary
In a collision between a 49 kg woman and a 97 kg man on a frictionless ice surface, the woman experiences a maximum force of 160 N directed west from the man. According to Newton's third law, the force exerted on the man by the woman is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, resulting in a maximum force of 160 N directed east. To find the maximum acceleration of each skater, the formula F=ma can be applied, where the acceleration for the woman is calculated as 160 N / 49 kg, and for the man as 160 N / 97 kg. The woman will have an acceleration directed west, while the man will have an acceleration directed east. Understanding these principles is crucial for solving similar physics problems involving collisions.
shell4987
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Homework Statement


A 49 kg woman is ice-skating toward the east on a frictionless frozen lake when she collides with a 97 kg man who is ice-skating toward the west. The maximum force exerted on the woman by the man during the collision is 160 N, west. Take east to be the positive direction of the x axis. (a) What is the maximum force on the man from the woman, including direction? (b) What is the maximum acceleration of the woman, including direction? (c) What is the maximum acceleration of the man, including direction?


Homework Equations


F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


How would I go about solving this problem? I tried drawing a diagram of the two people colliding to figure that out, but I didn't really know where to go from there.
 
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Use Newton's laws... you might want to review the 3 laws... and try to see how they apply here...
 
shell4987 said:

Homework Statement


A 49 kg woman is ice-skating toward the east on a frictionless frozen lake when she collides with a 97 kg man who is ice-skating toward the west. The maximum force exerted on the woman by the man during the collision is 160 N, west. Take east to be the positive direction of the x axis. (a) What is the maximum force on the man from the woman, including direction? (b) What is the maximum acceleration of the woman, including direction? (c) What is the maximum acceleration of the man, including direction?


Homework Equations


F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


How would I go about solving this problem? I tried drawing a diagram of the two people colliding to figure that out, but I didn't really know where to go from there.

Use the third law of motion.
 

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