Question

Two ice skaters, Paula and Ricardo, push off from each other. Ricardo weighs more than Paula.

a. Which skater, if either, has the greater momentum after the push-off? Explain.

b. Which skater, if either, has the greater speed after the pushoff? Explain

Short answer

a. Both the skaters have same momentum.

b. Velocity of paula is more than that of Richard.

Step-by-step solution

Part(a) Step 1: Given information  

We need to find that which skater, if either, has the greater momentum after the push-off?

Part(a) Step 2: Simplify   

Given two skaters Paula $\left(m_p\right)$and Ricardo $\left(m_R\right)$push off from each other

Also $m_p<m_R$

The momentum in opposite direction is equal because the external force is zero.

Part(b) step 1: Given information   

We need to find that which skater, if either, has the greater speed after the push-off?

Part(b) Step 2: Simplify   

Which skater has greater speed after push off, We can determine from above solution

$$\begin{gathered} m_P{v}_P=m_R{v}_R \\ \frac{m_R}{m_P}=\frac{v_P}{v_R} \\ also\frac{m_R}{m_P}>1 \\ Hence\frac{v_P}{v_R}>1 \\ {v}_P>v_R \end{gathered}$$