Calculating Boat's Speed After Package Throw

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the speed of a boat after a child throws a 3.4 kg package horizontally at 10 m/s. Using the principle of conservation of momentum, the equation mv + mv = mv + mv is applied. The initial momentum of the system is zero, leading to the equation 0 = (3.4 kg)(10 m/s) + (20 kg + 60 kg)v. The final speed of the boat is calculated to be -0.425 m/s, indicating the boat moves in the opposite direction of the throw.

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Homework Statement



A child throws, at 10 m/s, a 3.4 KG package, horizontally, from a boat. The boat weighs 60 kg and the child weights 20 kg. If the boat was initially at rest, what was it's speed, after the throw?


Homework Equations



mv+mv=mv+mv

The Attempt at a Solution



I am not sure, do you have to add in the boat and child weight together so it is

mv+mv=mv+mv
0+0=(3.4)(10)+(20+60)v
v=-.425
 
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That's correct.
 
yay! thank you! this is the first time all year i know what i am doing
 

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