A 71-kg swimmer dives horizontally off a 500-kg raft. If the diver's speed immediately after leaving the raft is 6m/s, what is the corresponding raft speed?

The answer is below

Explanation:

Momentum is used to measure the quantity of motion in an object. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity.

Momentum = mass * velocity

The principle of conservation of momentum states that momentum cannot be created or destroyed but  can be transferred. Therefore the momentum before and after an action is equal.

Initial momentum = Final momentum

Let m be the mass of the diver, M be the mass of the raft, u be the initial velocity of the diver, U be the initial velocity of the raft, v be the final velocity of the diver and V be the final velocity of the raft.

m = 71 kg, M = 500 kg, v = 6 m/s

Initial both the raft and diver are at rest, hence u and U is zero, hence:

mu + MU = mv + MV

71(0) + 500(0) = 71(6) + 500(V)

0 = 426 + 500(V)

500(V) = -426

V = -426/500

V = -0.852 m/s