Skaters, Momentum, and Mass: How Does it Affect It?

  • Thread starter Thread starter alwysnforevr002
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Momentum
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of momentum in the context of two skaters with different masses pushing away from each other. Participants are exploring how mass affects momentum in this scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between mass and momentum, questioning how differing masses influence the momentum of each skater. There are attempts to formulate equations for individual momentum and combine them based on the principle of equal and opposite momentum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants seeking clarification on the mathematical relationships involved. There are suggestions to derive equations for momentum, but not all participants fully understand the proposed approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework problem, which includes specific mass values for the skaters and a focus on their momentum during the interaction.

alwysnforevr002
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
If two skaters are pushing away from each other i know that their momentum will be equal but in opposite directions. However, if they have different masses (i.e. one is 60kg and another is 72kg) will that affect the momentum??




:smile:


Original question:
Two skaters stand facing each other. One skater's mass is 60 kg, and the other's mass is 72 kg. If the skaters push away from each other without spinning,

the lighter skater has less momentum.
their momenta are equal but opposite.
their total momentum doubles.
their total momentum decreases.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try making the equations for the individuals momentum and combining these two equations with the thing you have already stated ie. "their momentum will be equal but in opposite directions."
 
Im sorry but i don't really understand what you mean
 
Are you aware of this:

(delta) p = mv?

Write this equation for the both of the skaters and then combine them as you know that "their momentum will be equal but in opposite directions."

If their mass differs, but ie. "their momentum will be equal but in opposite directions., what must also change to make this possible?

Note that the latex didn't work as I wanted it to.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K