Question

1.) A 1500kg weather rocket accelerates upward at 10 m/s^2. It explodes 2s after liftoff and breaks into two fragments, one twice as massive as the other. Photos reveal that the lighter fragment traveled straight up and reached a maximum height of 530m. What was the speed and direction of the heavier fragment just after the explosion? Include a free body diagram.

2.) The maximum energy a bone can absorb without breaking is surprisingly small. For a healthy human of mass 60kg, experimental data show that the leg bones of both legs together can absorb about 200J. Part A: From what maximum height could a person jump and land rigidly upright on both feet without breaking his legs? Assume that all the energy is absorbed in the leg bones in a rigid landing. Include a free body diagram. Part B: People jump from much greater heights than this; explain how this is possible. Think about how people land when they jump from greater heights.

Answer 1