Two ice skaters stand facing each other on friction-free ice
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Linear Momentum · Linear Momentum
Problem
Two ice skaters stand facing each other on friction-free ice. Skater X has mass 50kg and skater Y has mass 75kg. Starting from rest, they push off and move apart. Which of the following statements about the magnitudes of the impulses and the resulting motions is most accurate?
(a) Each skater experiences the same magnitude impulse, and both skaters move off with equal speeds.
(b) Each skater experiences the same magnitude impulse, and skater X moves with the greater speed.
(c) Each skater experiences the same magnitude impulse, and skater Y moves with the greater speed.
(d) Skater Y experiences the larger impulse because Y has the larger mass, and both skaters recoil with equal speeds.