What Are the Correct Speeds and Masses in These Momentum Problems?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving momentum problems involving an antitank missile and a locomotive collision. For the missile, the correct approach involves recognizing that the total momentum before and after the explosion must be conserved, leading to a calculated speed of -56 m/s for the first piece. The second problem requires determining the masses of the locomotive and car using the given momentum of the system, but the user has not yet solved for these masses. Clarifications suggest that the initial equations may need adjustments to properly account for the mass distribution after the missile explosion. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying momentum conservation principles in both scenarios.
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Homework Statement




  1. An antitank missile (m = 12kg.), when it reaches the maximum height (v = 0) explodes breaking into a large piece of 5kg. and a multitude of small pieces exiting vertically upwards with a speed of 40m / s. What is the speed of the first piece?.


  • A locomotive traveling at 20m / s, collides and engages in a car traveling initially in repose after the two at a speed of 16m / s. if the amount of movement of the locomotive-car system is 128kg.m / s. What is the mass of each body?

Homework Equations



\Delta P = I

p = m*v

The Attempt at a Solution



1. \Delta P = mv_f -mv_o = (5 + m)*v - (m*0)

= (5+m)v_f = 5*v_f + m*v_f = 5v + 40*7 \to \boxed{v = -56 m/s}

2. \Delta P = mv_f - mv_o = (m_1 + m_2)16 -20m_1

(m_1 + m_2)16 = 128 \to m_1 = \frac{128 -16m_2}{16}Could you correct my mistakes?

Thanks
 
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I looked at the first part:
v=-56 m/s looks like the right answer to me. The variables in the work get mixed up. v becomes vf then goes back to v. Some of the problem might be the starting equation. There should be a summation for the m*vf term because m breaks up into two parts. So you could have m*vf=(m1*v1f+m2*v2f). Then it would help to state that delta P is 0, and you should still get -56 m/s.
Does that help any?
 
For the second question, you have not arrived at values for m1 and m2.
 
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