Question

Conservation of Momentum Practice

Answer 1

Answer:

Before: 0 m/s  

After: -4 m/s

Explanation:

Before: Since you and your beau started at rest, your beau initial velocity is 0 m/s.

After: Since we have to conserve momentum,

momentum before push = momentum after push.

The momentum before push = 0 (since you and your beau are at rest)

momentum after push = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ were m₁ = your mass = 60 kg, v₁ = your velocity after push = 3 m/s, m₂ = beau's mass = 45 kg and v₂ = beau's velocity.

So, m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = 0

m₁v₁ = -m₂v₂

v₂ = -m₁v₁/m₂ = -60 kg × 3 m/s ÷ 45 kg = -4 m/s

So beau moves with a velocity of 4 m/s in the opposite direction