How Much Energy Was Released in the Fuel Tank Explosion?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the energy released during a fuel tank explosion, where two fragments of 20 kg and 15 kg are propelled to heights of 6.6 m and 7.3 m, respectively. The potential energy (PE) of each fragment is calculated using the formula PE = mgh, where 'm' is mass, 'g' is gravitational acceleration, and 'h' is height. It is confirmed that if the fragments go straight up, the total potential energy at their highest point equals the energy released by the explosion. The conversation emphasizes that at the peak height, the fragments possess only potential energy and no kinetic energy. This analysis leads to a clear understanding of the energy dynamics involved in the explosion.
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A fuel tank explodes, ripping the
container into two pieces of masses 20kg and
and 15kg sending them 6.6m and 7.30000019m high,
respectively. What was the energy released by the
explosion if all energy becomes the KE of the
fragments?

Shouldn't the sum of the PE of both fragments equal the energy released?

PE=mgh=(20kg)*(9.81m/s/s)*(6.6m)
+
PE=mgh=(15kg)*(9.81m/s/s)*(7.30000019m)


Thank you
Stephen
 
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StephenDoty said:
Shouldn't the sum of the PE of both fragments equal the energy released?
If they go straight up, yes. (So you can assume that at their highest point they have only potential energy, but no kinetic energy.)
 

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