Melissa and Joel stand at opposite ends of a canoe facing each other, as shown b
ID: 1495608 • Letter: M
Question
Melissa and Joel stand at opposite ends of a canoe facing each other, as shown below. The canoe is at rest on a perfectly still lake (Assume that there is no friction between the boat and the water). Joel throws a heavy ball at Melissa, and Melissa catches the ball. What happens to the boat during this exchange?
(a) The boat moves to the right and then stops
(b) The boat moves to the right and continues moving to the right
(c) The boat remains at rest
(d) The boat moves to the left and then stops
(e) The boat moves to the left and continues moving to the left
correct answer: A
Please explain why the correct answer is A.
Explanation / Answer
(a) The boat moves to the right and then stops
The moment she throws the ball to the left, the ball moves to the left, since the whole system is at rest, with the same force, the boat moves in opposite direction i.e. to right and then stops.