Physics Question

Question

A 67.0-kg person throws a 0.0480-kg snowball forward with a ground speed of 34.0 m/s. A second person, with a mass of 56.5 kg, catches the snowball. Both people are on skates. The first person is initially moving forward with a speed of 2.45 m/s, and the second person is initially at rest. What are the velocities of the two people after the snowball is exchanged? Disregard the friction between the skates and the ice. (Take the direction the snowball is thrown to be the positive direction. Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer.)

thrower	m/s (Give your answer to at least three decimal places.)
catcher	m/s

Answer 1

We have two systems here, the first skater and the second

First skater

Momentum before snowball was thrown - (67 + 0.0480) x 2.45

Momentum after snowball thrown 67 x + 0.0480 x 34 (x = speed of skater)

These must be equal giving 164.2676 = 67x + 1.632, or x = 2.427 m/s

Second skater. + snowball

Initial momentum 0.0480 x 34

Final momentum (56.5 + 0.0480) y

Giving 1.632 = 56.548 y

y = 0.0289 m/s

(speed of second skater )