Rocket Explosion Momentum Problem: Troubleshooting for EIT Review

The solutions manual may be incorrect. In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving the explosion of a rocket into two fragments. The initial trajectory and mass of the rocket are given, as well as the angles and masses of the two fragments post-explosion. The conversation then discusses the use of conservation of momentum to solve for the velocities of the two fragments, and the asker wonders if the solutions manual is incorrect as their calculated values do not match the given answer.
  • #1
cmmcnamara
122
1

Homework Statement



A rocket explodes into two fragments with the following information:

Initial trajectory: 150 m/s in the x-direction, mass is 40kg

Portion a, post explosion: 45 degree angle above the horizontal, 25kg

Portion b, post explosion: 30 degree angle below the horizontal, 15kg


Homework Equations



Conservation of momentum

The Attempt at a Solution



pi=150(m/s)*40kg=6000 kgm/s
pa=Va[cos 45, sin 45]*25kg=Va(17.68+17.68[j])kg
pb=Vb(cos 30, -sin 30[j])*15kg=Vb(12.99-7.5[j])kg

By conservation of momentum: pi=pa+pb

Two equations in two unknowns:

17.68*Va+12.99*Vb=6000
17.68*Va-7.5*Vb=0

Solving these gives me:

Va=124.2 m/s
Vb=292.8 m/s

However this is wrong, the answer should be:

Va=43.92 m/s
Vb=146.41 m/s

What am I doing wrong here? This is such a simple problem I am reviewing for the EIT, but I cannot for the life of me find out what's wrong and I am getting all the other momentum problems correct. Is the solutions manual incorrect?

Thank you in advance for the help!
 
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  • #2
Your solution looks good to me.
 
  • #3
I agree, your sol'n is correct.
 
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