The discussion centers on the behavior of the center of mass of an exploding projectile, specifically addressing whether the introduction of broken masses with vertical velocity components alters its trajectory. Participants confirm that the center of mass continues to follow the original parabolic path of the intact projectile, regardless of the vertical components of the new masses. The consensus is that the vertical velocity of the fragments does not impact the overall trajectory of the center of mass, as it must account for the gravitational effects on all components.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, educators, and engineers interested in dynamics, particularly those studying projectile motion and the effects of explosions on trajectory analysis.
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?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?
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).JesselJoe said:does the answer change if the new (broken) masses also have a vertical component of velocity?