Question

Problem Statement

A 5 kg skateboard is at rest on a level street. A 60 kg skateboarder runs towards the skateboard with a speed of 3m/s and jumps on the skateboard. What is the speed of the skateboarder and board just after the boarder jumps on?

Visual Representation

• Draw a sketch of the system showing the before and after state

• Establish a coordinate system and define symbols

• Determine if any forces exert impulses on the system

• Determine if the system’s momentum is conserved

• List knowns and desired unknowns

Mathematical Representation

• Start with an expression for conservation of momentum or
  the momentum principle using the symbols defined in your sketch

• Substitute in the known values, including units

• Solve equation(s) for the desired unknown

• Check units and assess if your answer is reasonable

Answer 1