A bomb at rest explodes into three fragments. Two of these fragments with mass m1 = 2 kg, and m2 = 1 kg respectively, travel in left direction; the other fragment with mass m3 = 3 kg travels in opposite direction. If the velocities of fragments 1 and 2 are v1 = 5 m/s and v2 = 2 m/s respectively, find the velocity of fragment 3.
According to conservation of linear momentum,
The momentum of an isolated system remains constant. Momentum is said to be conserved over time; that is, momentum is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Momentum before explosion = Momentum after collision
Let M be the total mass of bomb and u initial velocity.
According to sign convention,velocity towards right is taken positive and towards left, negative
Initially at rest, implies
Velocity of fragment 3 is 4 m/s towards right
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.