Classical Mechanics (Kibble & Berkshire) · Problem 10.3

The angular momentum principle — T.W.B. Kibble, F.H. Berkshire

Physics — Mechanics · linear-momentum-centre-of-mass

Problem

A boat of mass MM is at rest in still water and a man of mass mm is sitting at the bow. The man stands up, walks to the stern of the boat and then sits down again. If the water offers a resistance to the motion of the boat proportional to the velocity of the boat, show that the boat will eventually come to rest at its original position. [This remarkable result is independent of the resistance constant and the details of the man's motion.]

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