Conservation of mass with fireworks

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving momentum conservation in a fireworks display scenario. A 3.0 kg rocket, moving upward at 4 km/h, explodes into three equal pieces of 1.0 kg each. Piece A moves horizontally at 4 km/h, while Piece B moves at a 37-degree angle downward at 5 km/h. The objective is to determine the magnitude and direction of the velocity of Piece C. The conservation of momentum principle is emphasized, suggesting that the total momentum before and after the explosion remains constant. To solve for Piece C's velocity, the momentum equations for both the X and Y axes are proposed, leading to a system of two equations with two unknowns: the velocity and direction of Piece C.
KingNothing
Messages
880
Reaction score
4
Hi. This was the one extra problem credit problem I couldn't figure out in our momentum unit. (Since its not homework I posted here)

In a fireworks display, a 3.0 kg rocket moving at 4 km/h straight up explodes into three equal pieces of of 1.0 kg in mass. Piece A moves straight horizontally at a speed of 4 km/hr. Piece B moves at 37 degrees down from the horizontal and opposite piece A at a speed of 5 km/hr.

What is the magnitude and direction of the velocity of piece C?

My ideas: Well, since there's conservation of mass we know the velocity.

Can someone work this out for me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Can you assume that the momentum is preserved? If so then it's just:
M_TV_0 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2 + m_3v_3
Write that for two axes, X and Y, and separate the velocity vectors as well. You will have two equations with two unknowns. The unknowns would be the 3rd piece's velocity and the angle (direction) of that velocity.
 

Thread '1:1 versus 2:1 Mechanical Advantage debate'

The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
View full post »

Thread 'Average velocity as a weighted mean'

Hello everyone, Consider the problem in which a car is told to travel at 30 km/h for L kilometers and then at 60 km/h for another L kilometers. Next, you are asked to determine the average speed. My question is: although we know that the average speed in this case is the harmonic mean of the two speeds, is it also possible to state that the average speed over this 2L-kilometer stretch can be obtained as a weighted average of the two speeds? Best regards, DaTario
View full post »

Thread 'Newton's first law?'

Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
View full post »

Similar threads

An exploding cannon shell
Replies
4
Views
710
Wrapfig leaves text permanently curtailed thereafter
Replies
6
Views
770
Can Sci-Fi Spacecraft Achieve Stable Orbit with Plasma Technology?
Replies
4
Views
1K
I How to Land a Tree Flat in 3/4 Rotation: Solving the Equations
Replies
19
Views
2K
I Newton's Second Law - variable mass case
Replies
14
Views
2K
B Colliding balls: Conservation of momentum and changes in kinetic energy?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Conceptual questions about Angular Momentum Conservation and torque
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Work-Energy Theorem for Moving Block and Spring System?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Gravity, friction and tangential velocity
Replies
11
Views
2K
Momentum not conserved for Contracting Concentric Shells
Replies
3
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top