What is the speed of the third fragment in an exploding object problem?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SnowOwl18
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of the third fragment of a 21.0-kg body that explodes into three pieces. The first fragment, weighing 7.5 kg, moves at 428 m/s along the positive y-axis, while the second fragment, weighing 3.5 kg, moves at 483 m/s along the negative x-axis. The user initially calculated the speed of the third fragment as 744.45 m/s but later realized that both x and y components of momentum must be considered. The correct approach involves using the Pythagorean theorem to find the resultant speed of the third fragment, which incorporates both velocity components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum conservation principles
  • Knowledge of vector addition and components
  • Familiarity with basic physics concepts related to explosions
  • Ability to apply the Pythagorean theorem in physics problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of momentum conservation in two dimensions
  • Learn how to resolve vectors into components
  • Practice problems involving explosions and fragment velocities
  • Explore the application of the Pythagorean theorem in physics
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and momentum, as well as educators looking for illustrative examples of explosion problems.

SnowOwl18
Messages
71
Reaction score
0
Alrighty, here is a problem I am stuck on.

----A 21.0-kg body is moving in the direction of the positive x-axis with a speed of 274 m/s when, owing to an internal explosion, it breaks into three pieces. One part, whose mass is 7.5 kg, moves away from the point of explosion with a speed of 428 m/s along the positive y axis. A second fragment, whose mass is 3.5 kg, moves away from the point of explosion with a speed of 483 m/s along the negative x axis. What is the speed of the third fragment? Ignore effects due to gravity.-----

Ok...so the momentum in the positive x direction before the explosion was p=mv...or 21x274= 5754 kg*m/s...i think the y direction is irrelevant in the problem, since momentum in the x-axis is conserved...so assuming that, i do the equation 3.5kg x (-483 m/s) + 10kg x V3 = 5754 kg*m/s...the 2nd fragment's velocity is negative because it goes along the negative x axis...and the third fragment's mass is 10kg because 21-7.5-3.5 = 10kg. Anyway, I solved for the third fragment's velocity (V3) and got an answer of 744.45 m/s...but the computer program says I'm wrong. Does anyone know what I'm doing incorrectly? And if so, how do I go about the problem the correct way? Thanks so much. :D
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The momentum in the y-direction is definitely relevant; it is to be zero before and after the explosion..
 
hmm..I'm not sure how to incorporate that though. I can find the velocity of the 3rd fragment in the y direction...(7.5 x 428) + 10x = 0...and I get -321 m/s. So...if I have the speed in the x component (744.45m/s) and in the y component (-321m/s)...how I do I find the fragment's speed? I'm not sure what I should be doing with that... :/


ohhh...duh. I'm so dumb today. I just figured it out...do it like a triangle...744.45^2 + (-)321^2 = V^2...ha. Thanks a bunch!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
6K