Kinetic energy of rocket explosion

[jc14]

Homework Statement

a rocket explodes in flight into two equal mass pieces still going in the same direction with one piece moving twice as fast as the other. What is the ratio of the total kinetic energy of the pieces just after the explosion to that of the rocket just before?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[NascentOxygen]

Hi jc14. http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

The method for solving any problem in physics begins with the drawing of a clear diagram, and on this you mark everything you know about the system.

Then you write down the equations you know which may (note I said "may", not "will") be relevant to the situation. (If you always automatically knew what equations would be needed then you'd be teaching the subject, not studying it!)

This places you at the point where you have assembled enough that you can now start to ponder it meaningfully.

Post your working when you've done that much.

Let's see how you go.