Two ice skaters standing on frictionless ice push off each other

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

Two ice skaters standing on frictionless ice push off each other. Skater A has mass

m

and skater B has mass

4m

. If each experiences impulses of equal magnitude

J

during the push, what is the ratio of their changes in speed

\Delta v_A : \Delta v_B

? (a)

1:4

(b)

4:1

(c)

16:1

(d)

1:1