Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Skater A () and skater B () push each other apart on smooth ice with for .
Newton's third law: when A pushes B, B pushes A with a force of the same size in the opposite direction. The two forces act on different objects, so they never cancel each other.
Newton's second law: , where is the net force. Plan: draw the forces, find the net force, use , then the equations of motion (, , ).
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. (a) A: . B: .
Step 2. (b) A: . B: .
Step 3. (c) A, the lighter one: the same force gives a lighter body more acceleration.
Answer: and ; and ; A.
Check. Momenta: , equal and opposite.
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