Suppose two boys are trapped on the ice atop a frozen pond, and that the ice is completely frictionless. The boys are initially at rest, but they do have a baseball. They begin to play catch with the ball. Which of these is true?
A) The boys only move while the ball is in the air.
B) They will be stuck on the ice until rescued.
C) The more times they throw and catch the ball, the faster they will get to shore.
D) If after a few throws the ball is not caught and rolls away, the boys will be stuck on the ice.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the boys throw the baseball to each other, they exert a force on the ball, and the ball exerts an equal and opposite force on them, causing them to move in opposite directions due to Newton's third law of motion. Each throw and catch will result in a small movement, and over time, these movements will add up, allowing them to move closer to shore. The frictionless surface ensures that they will continue moving after each throw and catch, gradually increasing their distance from their original positions.

Suppose Two Boys Are Trapped on the Ice Atop a Frozen