Question: You are standing on a skateboard, initially at rest. A friend throws a very heavy ball towards you. You can either catch the object or deflect the object back towards your friend (such that it moves away from you with the same speed as it was originally thrown). What should you do in order to MINIMIZE your speed on the skateboard?
Catch the ball.
Deflect the ball.
Your final speed on the skateboard will be the same regardless whether you catch the ball or deflect the ball.