Two boys in a canoe toss a baseball back and forth. What effect will this have on the canoe? Neglect (velocity-dependent) frictional forces with water or air.
A) None, because the ball remains in the canoe.
B) The canoe will drift in the direction of the boy who throws the ball harder each time.
C) The canoe will drift in the direction of the boy who throws the ball with less force each time.
D) The canoe will oscillate back and forth always moving opposite to the ball.
E) The canoe will oscillate in the direction of the ball because the canoe and ball exert forces in opposite directions upon the person throwing the ball.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The canoe and the boys will experience equal and opposite forces from the ball each time it is thrown. This will cause the canoe to oscillate back and forth, always moving in the opposite direction of the ball because of the conservation of momentum. However, since there are two boys in the canoe and they are both throwing the ball, the oscillation may be more complex and erratic.

Two Boys in a Canoe Toss a Baseball Back and Forth