Question

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LO SCOP a
(b) A stationary cracker of mass 100 g explodes into two pieces of equal masses. If one pi
moves with a velocity of 8 m/s, what is the velocity of the other piece?​

Answer 1

Given:

A stationary cracker of mass 100 g explodes into two pieces of equal masses. One piece moves with a velocity of 8 m/s.

To find:

Velocity of another piece ?

Calculation:

Since , no external force acts on the system, hence the net linear momentum of the system will remain conserved.

$\therefore \: P_{initial} = P_{final}$

$\implies mu = (m1)(v1) + (m2)(v2)$

$\implies \dfrac{100}{1000}( 0) = ( \dfrac{50}{1000} )(8) + ( \dfrac{50}{1000} )(v2)$

$\implies 0 = ( \dfrac{50}{1000} )(8) + ( \dfrac{50}{1000} )(v2)$

$\implies ( \dfrac{50}{1000} )(v2) = - ( \dfrac{50}{1000} )(8)$

$\implies v2 = -8 \: m/s$

So, the piece also moves with velocity of 8 m/s , negative sign indicates that it moves in the opposite direction to that of the other piece.