A 62.2 kg ice skater moving to the right with a velocity of 2.66 m/s throws a 0.145 kg snowball to the right with a velocity of 39.3 m/s relative to the ground. What is the velocity of the ice skater after throwing the snowball? Disregard the friction between the skates and the ice.

Velocity of skater after throwing the snowball is 2.57 m/s

Explanation:

Given :

Mass of skater, M = 62.2 kg

Mass of snowball, m = 0.145 kg

Velocity of snowball relative to ground, v = 39.3 m/s

Consider v₁ be the velocity of skater after throwing the snowball.

According to the problem, initially the velocity of skater and snowball is same. So,

Velocity of skater before throwing snowball, u = 2.66 m/s

Applying conservation of momentum,

Momentum before throwing snowball = Momentum after throwing snowball

(M + m) u = Mv₁ + mv

Substitute the suitable values in the above equation.

v₁ = 2.57 m/s

pe = weightxheight = 2000x1000=2,000,000joules