Classical Mechanics - Conservation of Momentum

A man of mass m on an initially stationary boat gets off the boat by leaping to the left in an exactly horizontal direction. Immediately after the leap, the boat of mass M is observed to be moving to the right at speed v. How much work did the man do during the leap (both on his own body and on the boat)?

A. ½ Mv²
B. ½ mv²
C. ½ (m)v²
D. ½ (M²/m)v²
E. ½ [Mm/(m)]v²
(GR9677 #65)
Solution:

Conservation of momentum:



The man does work on both himself and the boat:



Answer: D

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