Answer to Question #96671 in Mechanics | Relativity for Michael

Question

Two iceboats A and B race on a frictionless lake. A has a mass and of m and B has mass of 2m. The wind exerts a constant force F on both boats along their direction of motion. Both boats start from rest , and both travel at the same distance s to finish line.At the finish line the speed of A is (a)equal to the speed of B
(b)greater than the speed of B
(c)less than the speed design of B
(d) cannot be obtained from the information given
Explanation of answer please

Answer 1

For A:

$$a_A=\frac{F}{m}$$

$$v_A^2-0^2=2a_As=\frac{2sF}{m}$$

$$v_A=\sqrt{\frac{2sF}{m}}$$

For B:

$$a_B=\frac{F}{2m}$$

$$v_B^2-0^2=2a_Bs=\frac{sF}{m}$$

$$v_B=\sqrt{\frac{sF}{m}}$$

Answer: (b)greater than the speed of B