A 68.0 kg ice skater moving to the right with a velocity of 2.55 m/s throws a 0.16 kg snowball to the right with a velocity of 27.5 m/s relative to the ground.

Question

(a) What is the velocity of the ice skater after throwing the snowball? Disregard the friction between the skates and the ice.

(b) A second skater initially at rest with a mass of 60.50 kg catches the snowball. What is the velocity of the second skater after catching the snowball in a perfectly inelastic collision?

Answer 1

if the ice skate was skating with the snowball initially, then
initial momentum=final momentum
68*2.55+.16*2.55=68*vf+.16*27.5
solve for vf.

b.initial monetum=final momentum
60.50*0+.16*27.5=(60.50+.16)Vf
solve for vf

Answer 2

Thanks!
I am having trouble rearranging the formula. Could you please try to explain it to me?

Answer 3

No, I won't do the algebra for you.