An object with total mass mtotal = 15.5 kg is sitting at rest when it explodes into three pieces. One piece with mass m1 = 4.6 kg moves up and to the left at an angle of θ1 = 19° above the –x axis with a speed of v1 = 28 m/s. A second piece with mass m2 = 5.5 kg moves down and to the right an angle of θ2 = 24° to the right of the -y axis at a speed of v2 = 23.5 m/s.
2)What is the mass of the third piece? ans 5.4kg

3)What is the x-component of the velocity of the third piece?

Question

An object with total mass mtotal = 15.5 kg is sitting at rest when it explodes into three pieces. One piece with mass m1 = 4.6 kg moves up and to the left at an angle of θ1 = 19° above the –x axis with a speed of v1 = 28 m/s. A second piece with mass m2 = 5.5 kg moves down and to the right an angle of θ2 = 24° to the right of the -y axis at a speed of v2 = 23.5 m/s.
2)What is the mass of the third piece? ans 5.4kg



3)What is the x-component of the velocity of the third piece?

jamesj · Answer

Use conservation of momentum.  The net momentum of all three pieces in the x and y directions must be zero.

anonymous · Answer

Additionally, if you would like, the center of mass of the three mass system must remain in the same place where it was before the explosion since no external forces act on the system.

jamesj · Answer

Have a look now at this problem, which is almost completely worked to give you a sense of what's going on: http://openstudy.com/study?login#/updates/4f580f10e4b0c9fd2d4b9ad6