Final velocity, incomplete equation (answear included)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a space vehicle that separates into two sections after a controlled explosion. The vehicle's initial velocity is given, and the masses of the two sections are specified. The task is to determine the final velocities of each section, with a focus on understanding the relationships between their velocities post-separation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the problem and the equation derived from conservation principles. There is an exploration of what the variable V represents in the context of the problem, with some participants questioning the definitions and assumptions made in the equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify the meaning of the variable V and its relation to the velocities of the sections. Guidance has been offered to revisit the derivation of the equation and consider the physical laws involved, but no consensus has been reached on the next steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem statement and are encouraged to derive their understanding from the given information without direct solutions being provided.

bcoolplayer
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Homework Statement



A space vehicle traveling at a velocity of 1200ms -1 separates by a controlled explosion into two sections of mass 865kg and 2010 kg. The two parts carry on in the same direction with the heavier rear section moving 120 ms -1 slower than the lighter front section. Determine the final velocity of each section.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


i got as far as this on the equation however I am stuck
(865+2010)*1200=865*V+(V-120)*2010=2875*…

we have been told that V=1284m/s
and heavier body velocity=1164m/s
 
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bcoolplayer said:
i got as far as this on the equation however I am stuck
(865+2010)*1200=865*V+(V-120)*2010=2875*…

we have been told that V=1284m/s
and heavier body velocity=1164m/s

Well, you're almost there. You've got an equation that can be solved for V:

(865+2010)*1200=865*V+(V-120)*2010
 
ok that good 2 know, and where 2 go from here
 
Ask yourself what V represents (after all, you wrote the equation!). Compare with what the problem is asking you to find out.
 
im really stuck, i don't know please give me a hint
 
Go back over your derivation of the equation. What was V for?
 
velocity
 
Which velocity?
 
the travling velocity
 
  • #10
bcoolplayer said:
the travling velocity

Of what?
 
  • #11
the space vehicle
 
  • #12
bcoolplayer said:
the space vehicle

Surely that's what the "1200" is on the left hand side of the equation?
 
  • #13
yees
 
  • #14
bcoolplayer said:
yees

So then, what is V the velocity of?
 
  • #15
i aint got a clue, is it for the heavier body velocity
 
  • #16
You need to be sure if you are to understand how to do these sorts of problems.

What physical law allowed you to write the equation in the first place?
 
  • #17
dllamberts principle
 
  • #18
bcoolplayer said:
dllamberts principle

Not quite. There's a particular conservation law involved here.
 

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