Boat Momentum Conservation

Interactive simulation of momentum and energy conservation when people jump from a boat in a river

Left Person

Person 1 parameters

Mass: 70 kg

Jump Velocity: 0 m/s

• Positive = rightward jump

• Negative = leftward jump

• Zero = stays on boat

River

Flow Velocity: 1 m/s

Boat

Mass: 100 kg

Physics Simulation

Paused

Right Person

Person 2 parameters

Mass: 80 kg

Jump Velocity: 0 m/s

• Positive = rightward jump

• Negative = leftward jump

• Zero = stays on boat

Physics Analysis

Conservation laws and calculations

Momentum Conservation

Initial Momentum: 0.00 kg⋅m/s

Final Momentum: 0.00 kg⋅m/s

Difference: 0.0000 kg⋅m/s

Conserved ✓

Kinetic Energy

Initial KE: 0.00 J

Final KE: 0.00 J

Energy Added: 0.00 J

Energy Lost

Physics Principles:

• Momentum Conservation: Total momentum before = Total momentum after
• Reference Frame: All velocities measured relative to ground (including river flow)
• Energy Source: Kinetic energy increases due to muscular work during jumps
• Boat Recoil: Boat moves opposite to net jump direction to conserve momentum