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

  • Thread starter Thread starter alwysnforevr002
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Momentum
AI Thread Summary
When two skaters push away from each other, their momenta are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, regardless of their differing masses. The momentum of each skater can be calculated using the equation p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. If one skater is 60 kg and the other is 72 kg, the lighter skater will have a higher velocity to ensure their momenta remain equal. This relationship highlights that while mass affects the velocity needed to maintain equal momentum, the total momentum of the system remains conserved. Understanding these principles is crucial in analyzing motion in physics.
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.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with outlet pipe'
The answer to this question is statements (ii) and (iv) are correct. (i) This is FALSE because the speed of water in the tap is greater than speed at the water surface (ii) I don't even understand this statement. What does the "seal" part have to do with water flowing out? Won't the water still flow out through the tap until the tank is empty whether the reservoir is sealed or not? (iii) In my opinion, this statement would be correct. Increasing the gravitational potential energy of the...
Back
Top