Provincial Exam: Simple momentum explosion question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving momentum conservation after an explosion that breaks a 1.0 kg puck into three pieces. The first piece, weighing 0.50 kg, moves north at 10 m/s, and the second piece, weighing 0.30 kg, moves east at 20 m/s. The user initially calculated the resultant momentum of the first two pieces as 7.8 kg m/s but later discovered the correct magnitude of the third piece's momentum is 3.3 kg m/s. The error occurred in the application of the Pythagorean theorem to find the resultant momentum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum conservation principles
  • Familiarity with vector addition and resultant calculations
  • Knowledge of basic physics equations, specifically p = mv
  • Proficiency in using the Pythagorean theorem for right triangles
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the principles of momentum conservation in multi-body systems
  • Study vector addition techniques in physics
  • Practice solving problems involving explosions and momentum
  • Explore common pitfalls in applying the Pythagorean theorem in physics problems
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and momentum, as well as educators looking for examples of common mistakes in momentum calculations.

Senjai
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Homework Statement



A 1.0kg physics puck is at rest when a small explosion breaks it into three pieces. A 0.50 kg piece, goes north at 10 m/s, a .3 kg piece goes east at 20 m/s. What is the magnitude of the momentum of the third piece.

Homework Equations



[tex]p = mv[/tex]
Momentum Before = Momentum After

The Attempt at a Solution



So i know that the momentum before is zero, so the sum of the momentum on the x-axis is zero, and the sum on the y-axis is zero.

Because the first two pieces are at right angles to each other, i calculated the net momentum, or their resultant, and stated that the momentum of the third piece should be equal and opposite to maintain the law of momentum conservation.

So i determined: the first piece had a momentum of 5 kg m/s north, the second, 6 kg m/s east.

Plugged the values into the pythagorean theorum and got 7.8 kg m/s..

Which is an answer on the sheet, but it's wrong. The correct answer is 3.3 kg m/s

Could anyone tell me where i went wrong??

Regards,
Senjai
 
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