Shell fragments exploding - NSL for system of particles

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a shell that explodes into two fragments at the top of its trajectory. Fragment 1 falls vertically with an initial speed of 0, while the challenge is to determine how far Fragment 2 lands from the gun. Key steps include calculating the shell's velocity at the peak, applying conservation of momentum to find Fragment 2's velocity, and then determining the horizontal distance it travels before hitting the ground. The user expresses confusion about the next steps, indicating a need for guidance on the calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of using the correct equations to solve for the distance traveled by Fragment 2.
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A shell is shot with initial velocity \vec{}v_{0} is 20ms^{-1} at an angle \vartheta = 60 degrees. At the top of the trajectory, the shell explodes into two fragments of equal mass. Fragment1 has a speed of 0 immediately after the explosion and falls vertically. How far from the gun does fragment2 land assuming terrain is level and there is no air drag?

Equations used:
F = ma
v^{2} = v(of origin)^{2} a + 2a(y-y_{o})

p = mv

Initial middle
p=20ms-{1}m p = \frac{1}{2}mv + \frac{1}{2}m x 0
=> 20m => \frac{1}{2}mv + \frac{1}{2}mx0

=> 20m = \frac{1}{2}mv
=> 20 = \frac{0.5mv}{m} = \frac{1}{2}v = 40ms-{1}

so the middle position is p = 40ms-{1}

breaking this down to x y components:
for x:
cos\vartheta = \frac{x}{20}
cos \vartheta x 20 = x
\frac{1}{2} x 20 = x
x = 10

for y:
sin\vartheta = \frac{y}{20}
sin\vartheta x 20 = y
\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}} x 20 = y
\frac{20 x \sqrt{3}}{2} = 10 x \sqrt{3}
y = 10 x \sqrt{3}


using v^{2} = v_{o}^{2} a + 2a(y-y_{o})
0 = (10 x \sqrt{3})^{2} + 2 x 9.8ms-{1}(y - 0)
0 = 100 x 3 + 2 x 9.8 x y
y = \frac{300}{19.6} = 15.3

fragment1 dropped from a height of 15.3 meters

I am lost as to what equation to use to calculate the distance fragment 2 traveled from here. I know its simple but somehow I am not able to think of what to do next... I need the distance in the x direction that fragement2 traveled.

hints??

thanx!
 
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It looks like you calculated the momentum for the fragment based on the initial velocity. This is the wrong approach. What you need to do is:

1.) Calculate the velocity of the shell at the top of its arc
2.) Calculate the momentum of the shell at the top of its arc
3.) Calculate the momentum of the second fragment based on conservation of momentum
4.) Calculate fragment 2's velocity based on its momentum
5.) Calculate how far it will go before it hits the ground
 
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