The Centre of mass of an exploding projectile

In summary, the centre of mass moves in a parabolic path that the intact projectile would have followed. The answer should not change even if the new broken masses have a vertical component of velocity, as they must have at some point in order to fall down.
  • #1
JesselJoe
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I know that the centre of mass moves in the path (the parabola) that the intact projectile would have followed but does the answer change if the new (broken) masses also have a vertical component of velocity?
 
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  • #2
JesselJoe said:
I know that the centre of mass moves in the path (the parabola) that the intact projectile would have followed but does the answer change if the new (broken) masses also have a vertical component of velocity?
If ? How could they NOT have a vertical component? What does a parabola look like? Do you think that something traveling in a parabola has no vertical component?
 
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  • #3
JesselJoe said:
does the answer change if the new (broken) masses also have a vertical component of velocity?
That shouldn't change the answer. If you think about it, the new masses must have a vertical component of velocity at some time ( since they have to fall down).
EDIT: I see your question had already been answered by phinds !
 

1. What is the centre of mass of an exploding projectile?

The centre of mass of an exploding projectile refers to the point at which the mass of the projectile is evenly distributed in all directions. This point remains unchanged as the projectile explodes and disperses into smaller fragments.

2. How does the centre of mass affect the trajectory of an exploding projectile?

The centre of mass plays a crucial role in determining the trajectory of an exploding projectile. As the centre of mass moves, the direction and speed of the projectile's movement also change, causing the trajectory to deviate from its initial path.

3. Can the centre of mass be located outside of the projectile?

Yes, the centre of mass of an exploding projectile can be located outside of the physical boundaries of the projectile. This can occur when the projectile's fragments are dispersed in such a way that the centre of mass is no longer within the original boundaries.

4. How is the centre of mass calculated for an exploding projectile?

The centre of mass of an exploding projectile can be calculated by taking the weighted average of the individual masses and their corresponding positions. This can be done using the formula: xcm = (m1x1 + m2x2 + ... + mnxn) / (m1 + m2 + ... + mn), where xcm is the centre of mass, m is the mass of each fragment, and x is the position of each fragment.

5. Why is the centre of mass important to understand in regards to the explosion of a projectile?

The centre of mass is important to understand in regards to the explosion of a projectile because it affects the overall movement and trajectory of the projectile. It also helps to determine the stability and balance of the projectile, as well as the direction and force of any resulting fragments. Understanding the centre of mass can also aid in predicting the potential damage and impact of an exploding projectile.

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