2D momentum piece breaks problem

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The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving momentum conservation after a piece of ice breaks into three parts. The larger piece, weighing 4 kg, moves downward at 4 m/s, while two smaller pieces, each weighing 2 kg, break off at 45-degree angles. The initial momentum is equal to the final momentum, leading to the conclusion that the speed of the smaller pieces can be calculated using vector components. The correct approach involves using trigonometric functions to resolve the velocities, resulting in a calculated speed of approximately 5.7 m/s for the smaller pieces.

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1.A piece of ice falls on a frozen lake and breaks up into three pieces which go off in the directions shown in the diagram below. The mass of the bigger piece is 4 kg and it moves with a speed of 4 m/s straight down, If the two smaller pieces are 2 kg each and break off at 45 degrees each. What would be their speed right after the breakup?


icebreaks.jpg

2. momentum initial = momentum final.
Pi=Pf[
M*V+M*V=M*V+M*V



3. I think I need to find the x and y compenents of the smaller 2kg piece, but I don't know how to start because the bigger piece is at 90 degrees. this would make the x compenent 0 right? if i solve for the y direction... M*V+M*V=0 would I take half of the mass of the big ice chunk because it splits evenly? I used 4(2)+2(V)=0 to get a y compenent of 4. then use trig to get the vector velocity which I got to = 5.7 m/s. Is this right?
 
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It is impossible to understand what you mean because equations like M*V+M*V=M*V+M*V make no sense. They are the same as 1 = 1: always true, but carry no information whatsoever. M*V+M*V=0 is hardly better, because it means V = 0, which cannot be true in this case. Please use notation that let's other people understand what you are doing. You can denote the little piece's mass as m, their velocities as v, and those of the large piece M and V.
 

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