Shell fragments exploding - NSL for system of particles

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the physics of a shell fragment explosion, specifically analyzing the trajectory of two fragments after a shell is shot with an initial velocity of 20 m/s at a 60-degree angle. Fragment 1 falls vertically with an initial speed of 0 m/s, while Fragment 2's trajectory is determined using conservation of momentum and kinematic equations. The key calculations involve determining the velocity of the shell at the apex of its trajectory, calculating the momentum of both fragments, and using these values to find the horizontal distance traveled by Fragment 2 before it lands.

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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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