An explosion blows a rock into three parts. Two parts go off at right angles to each other. These two are, 1 kg first part moving with a velocity of 12 m s-1 and 2 kg second part moving with a velocity 8 m s-1. If the third part flies off with a velocity of 4 m s-1, its mass would be:
- 7 kg
- 17 kg
- 3 kg
- 5 kg
Answer
(4) 5 kg
Solution
Initial momentum of the rock = 0 the third part balances the resultant momentum of the other two.
p1 = 1 12 = 12 kg m s-1; p2 = 2 8 = 16 kg m s-1 (at right angles)
p3 = 122 + 162 = 20 kg m s-1
m3 4 = 20
m3 = 5 kg
Answer: (4)