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Han_Cholo
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Homework Statement
An object, initially traveling southeast with a speed of v_0, explodes into three separate pieces. A fragment of mass m_1 travels due south with a speed of v_1. Another fragment, with a mass of m_2 travels travels northeast at v_2. The last fragment has a mass of m_3, but travels in at an unknown rate in an unknown direction.
What is the magnitude and direction of the third fragments velocity? (Only variables allowed are v_0, v_1, v_2, m_1, m_2, m_3)
Homework Equations
Well, I think that due to conservation of momentum, the initial MV should equal the final MV.
And I think p=mv will also be useful.
The Attempt at a Solution
So I started off by drawing a picture to try and visualize the problem. I have the vector going southeast (-45degrees), then from there I drew the first fragment going south (so -another 45degrees to end up in the -90degree direction), and then I drew the second fragment going northeast (+45degrees) which I noticed also happens to be perpendicular to the initial velocity direction.
So, now I have to figure out what direction the third piece is going and how fast.
I decided to go with P_initial=P_final, and p=mv. So...
(M_initial)(V_0)=(m_1)(v_1)+(m_2)(v_2)+(m_3)(v_3)
M initial is just m_1+m_2+m_3, and I want to find v_3 so I changed it up to.
((M_i)(v_0)-(m_1)(v_1)-(m_2)(v_2))/(m_3)=v_3
Since those are the variables I can use for the solution, that's where I stopped for that.
For the direction, I wasn't entirely sure but I think the last piece continued going off in the southeast direction at the new speed.
I have a test this week, and this is practice for that test. There is however no way of knowing if I'm correct or wrong on ANY of these problems because my professor is a very busy man and takes up to a week to answer emails, and waiting until next class seems wasteful. So, if anyone here can help me out and tell me what I'm doing right, or wrong, or just any advice at all it will be very appreciated.