Question

an ice skater with a mass of 80kg pushes off against a second skater with a mass of 32kg. both skaters are initially at rest.
a. what is the total momentum of the system after the push off?
b. if the larger skater moves off with a speed of 3m/s, what is the corresponding speed of the smaller skater?

Answer 1

a. the total momentum is zero, because the momentum vectors are equal and opposite.
b. MV=mv
v= MV/m=80/32 *3m/s

Answer 2

7.5