You are standing on a skateboard,initially at rest.A friend throws a very heavy ball towards you.You have two choices about what to do with the ball: either catch the ball or deflect it back toward your friend with the same speed as it was originally thrown.Which choice should you make in order to maximize your speed on the skateboard?
A)Catch the ball.
B)Deflect the ball back.
C)Your final speed on the skateboard will be the same regardless whether you catch the ball or deflect the ball.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of a system of objects remains constant if no external forces act on it. Initially, the momentum of the system (you and the skateboard) is zero. When your friend throws the heavy ball towards you, the momentum of the system changes. If you catch the ball, you increase the momentum of the system in the direction of the ball's motion, causing you and the skateboard to move backward. On the other hand, if you deflect the ball back with the same speed, you increase the momentum of the system in the backward direction, causing you and the skateboard to move forward with greater speed. Therefore, deflecting the ball back towards your friend with the same speed as it was thrown is the better choice to maximize your speed on the skateboard.

You Are Standing on a Skateboard,initially at Rest