Finding the direction of the momentum (by drawing?)

[fawk3s]

Homework Statement

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5851/lolz32.png

A missle explodes in the air, forming 3 pieces equal in mass. Their masses are 0,03kg.
First piece started moving with a velocity of 60m/s, which makes its momentum
p=60*0,03=1,8
The second piece started moving with a velocity of 55m/s, making its momentum
p=55*0,03=1,65

The velocity directions are shown in the picture.

Find the momentum of the third piece by constructing/drawing.
The angle of the third piece's movement relative to vertical diretion.
The direction of the momentum of the third piece.

Homework Equations

p=mv

The Attempt at a Solution

I have no idea how to solve this.
I'd bet the last 2 things are practically the same thing, though.

Thanks in advance,
fawk3s

 

[willem2]

Apparently you are supposed to assume that the initial momentum of the missile was 0.
There's no way to solve this otherwise. If the inital momentum was 0 then the momemta of the 3 pieces still have to add to 0, both in the x and in the y direction.

 

[fawk3s]

Apparently you are supposed to assume that the initial momentum of the missile was 0.
There's no way to solve this otherwise. If the inital momentum was 0 then the momemta of the 3 pieces still have to add to 0, both in the x and in the y direction.

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention the missle stopped, and then exploded.
I thought of that solution for a second, but wasnt sure at all. I will give it a try.

 

[fawk3s]

I guess it worked. Hope I got the right answer.

Thanks you very much good sir !

 

[fawk3s]

Ok, I think I actually reached a point where I don't get it anymore.

I added the 2 first momentas, getting the third one to be -3,45.
But that doesn't seem to be the right answer. The right answer is supposed to be ~2,441, which you can get by Pythagoras.

But I don't really get it. If its ~2,44, the momentums won't add up to 0, which was the missles initial momentum. I mean, arent I supposed to add the 2 vectors in order to get the third one (opposite direction ofcourse)?

Please help.

 

[berkeman]

Ok, I think I actually reached a point where I don't get it anymore.

I added the 2 first momentas, getting the third one to be -3,45.
But that doesn't seem to be the right answer. The right answer is supposed to be ~2,441, which you can get by Pythagoras.

But I don't really get it. If its ~2,44, the momentums won't add up to 0, which was the missles initial momentum. I mean, arent I supposed to add the 2 vectors in order to get the third one (opposite direction ofcourse)?

Please help.

Momentum (not moments) has a magnitude and direction. So, as stated in the initial help, the sum of the momentum in the x direction nas to be zero, and the sum in the y direction also has to be zero. Given the way you've drawn the figure, the 3rd momentum vector has to point up to the left, in order to cancel out the other two vectors.

Does that help?

 

[fawk3s]

Yes, I know it has to point up to the left, but why is its momentum -2,44, instead of -3,45?

Because p1+p2+p3=0
But in this case
1,8+1,65-2,44=1,01

 

[berkeman]

Yes, I know it has to point up to the left, but why is its momentum -2,44, instead of -3,45?

Because p1+p2+p3=0
But in this case
1,8+1,65-2,44=1,01

What are the x and y components of p1?

What are the x and y components of p2?

What does that mean the x and y components of p3 need to be?

What is the resulting magnitude and direction of p3? Give the answer and show it on your drawing (showing the x and y components of p3, and the resulting magnitude and direction).

 

[fawk3s]

I understand now, I am a moron.

Thanks for the help.