Question

Two ice skaters suddenly push off against one another starting from a stationary position. The 45-kg skater acquires a speed of 0.375 m/s relative to the ice. What speed does the 60-kg

Answer 1

Answer:

The speed is $v_2 = 0.2813 \ m/s$

Explanation:

From the question we are told that

   The mass of the first skater is $m_1 = 45 \ kg$

    The final speed of the first skater is $v_1 = 0.375 \ m/ s$

    The mass of the second skater is $m_2 = 60 \ kg$

According to the principle of linear momentum conservation

     $Initial \ momentum = final \ momentum$

Here  $Initial momentum = (m_1 + m_2) * u$

Since they they started from a stationary position

      $u = 0$

So

    $Initial \ momentum = 0 \ m/s$

While  

     $final \ momentum = m_1* v_1 + m_2 * v_2$

substituting values

       $final \ momentum = (45 * 0.375) +(60 * v_2)$

So   $(45 * 0.375) +(60 * v_2) = 0$

=>    $v_2 = 0.2813 \ m/s$