Question

1. A Guinness Record Aerial Bomb firework was measured at almost 2200 kg (nearly 4800 pounds). It was shot into the air using a massive mortar. When it reached its peak height, it exploded into over 100,000 pieces. How can we determine the total combined momentum of the 100,000 pieces?  

2. A man, who angered the local mob boss, wakes up and finds himself in the middle of an ice sheet.  It is a calm, sunny but VERY cold day.  The ice, however, is covered in a super slick oil such that there is absolutely no friction on the surface.  (Let's not worry how he got there or how those who put him there got off the ice.)  The guy cannot move off of the surface no matter how hard he tries.  He cannot walk: there is no traction between his shoe and surface. (He can't even get enough leverage to stand up, he just falls back down.)  He cannot crawl: there is no friction between his hands or knees and the surface. (He can't even get up on his knees because there is no grip on the surface. His extremities fly out from under him and he just flops back down on his belly.)  He cannot roll: he just spins in place like a top.  There is just no friction.  He does manage to effect sitting up after some gymnastic maneuver.  He has to get off this ice or freeze to death and it will look like an accident.  There is no one who will look for him.  However, he sees an empty nearby hunter's cabin which, if he can get to it, has food, water, and fuel for a fire…he would be safe. He is only wearing a shirt, pants, underwear, socks and boots.

1.       How does he successfully get off of the ice? Take your time and think about this. It is very simple, but remember: he can't use any kind of action requiring friction with the ice.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

The total combined momentum of the 100,000 pieces pf = 200 Kg x V

V being the final velocity

Step-by-step explanation

From conservation of momentum

Initial momentum = Final momentum

Momentum is conserved since no external force  acted on explosion

Pi = Pf

Initial momentum Pi = mass x Initial velocity

Pi = mass x u

Where u is Initial velocity

Final momentum Pf  = Total mass of pieces x Final velocity V

But Total mass of pieces = mass of the bomb = 2200 Kg

Therefore

pf = 2200 Kg x  V

V being the final velocity

Hence combined momentum of 10000 pieces can be determined by

The total combined momentum of the 100,000 pieces pf = 200 Kg x V

V being the final velocity

answered by: anonymous