Question

A woman of mass 41 kg jumps off the bow of
a 59 kg canoe that is initially at rest.
If her velocity is 4.5 m/s to the right, what
is the velocity of the canoe after she jumps?
Answer in units of m/sˆ
Don't round answer.

Answer 1

The law of conservation of momentum gives

$$p_i=p_f$$

$$0=mv-Mu$$

The velocity of the canoe

$$u=\frac{mv}{M}=\frac{41\times 4.5}{59}=3.127\:\rm m/s$$