Question

A boy of mass 46.2 kg is initially on a skateboard of mass 2.00 kg, moving at a speed of 10.2 m/s. The boy falls off the skateboard, and his center of mass moves forward at a speed of 10.9 m/s. Find the final velocity of the skateboard.

Answer 1

Answer:

$v=-5.97\,\frac{m}{s}$

Explanation:

The system boy-skateboard can be modelled by means of the Principle of Momentum Conservation:

$(48.2\,kg)\cdot (10.2\,\frac{m}{s} ) = (46.2\,kg)\cdot (10.9\,\frac{m}{s} )+(2\,kg)\cdot v$

The final velocity of the skateboard:

$v=-5.97\,\frac{m}{s}$