Two skaters stand facing each other. One skater's mass is 60 kg, and the other's mass is 72 kg. If the skaters push away from each other without spinning, a. the lighter skater has less momentum. b. their momenta are equal but opposite. c. their total momentum doubles. d. their total momentum decreases.

Question

Kareem Booth

Biology

27 May, 09:19

Two skaters stand facing each other. One skater's mass is 60 kg, and the other's mass is 72 kg. If the skaters push away from each other without spinning, a. the lighter skater has less momentum. b. their momenta are equal but opposite. c. their total momentum doubles. d. their total momentum decreases.

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Nancy Hicks · Answer 1

If two skaters are facing each other, and push away at the same time, their momentum will be the same, answer B. This is because a body at rest wants to stay at rest, no matter the downward force. Additionally, because they are both on skateboards, the force of friction (which would hold them in place) is negated. Therefore when pushed away from each other, they will have the same momentum.