Question

Two friends are standing on opposite ends of a canoe. The canoe is at rest with respect to the lake. Then the friend at the north end of the canoe throws a very massive ball to the friend at the south end of the canoe, who catches it. How does the canoe move, if at all, as a result? A. The canoe accelerates to the south. B.The canoe remains motionless. C. The canoe accelerates to the north

Answer 1

-- When the man at the North end throws the ball, the canoe
accelerates to the North.

-- While the ball is in flight, traveling south by the length of the
canoe, the canoe moves northward at a constant speed.

-- If the man at the south end misses the ball and fails to catch it,
then the canoe continues moving south at a constant speed, even
after the ball has passed him.

-- If the man at the south end successfully catches the ball, then the
canoe accelerates south at that moment, and comes to rest in the water.