Consider the motion of the two ice skaters in the figure below and assume they have masses of 62 kg and 97 kg. These two skaters are initially at rest (see figure a), and there are no external forces along the horizontal direction (x). After they push on each other, the skaters move apart (see figure b), but the center of mass does not move. If the larger skater has moved a distance of 14 m from his initial position, where is the smaller skater?
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As the centre of mass cannot move then the MOMENTS around this must add to zero.
i.e 97 * 14 + 62 * X = 0
from which you get X = - 21.9 m
The negative sign indicates that it is in the opposite direction to the other skater.
i.e 97 * 14 + 62 * X = 0
from which you get X = - 21.9 m
The negative sign indicates that it is in the opposite direction to the other skater.