A body of mass 14 kg initially at rest explodes and breaks into three fragments of masses in the ratio 2 : 2 : 3. The two pieces of equal masses fly off perpendicular to each other with a speed of 18 m/s each. The velocity of the heavier fragment is m/s.
- 24 2
- 12
- 12 2
- 10 2
Answer
(3) 12 2
Solution
Masses: 27 14 = 4 kg, 4 kg and 37 14 = 6 kg
Momentum of each light piece = 4 18 = 72 kg m s-1; they are perpendicular
resultant = 722 + 722 = 72 2 kg m s-1
Total momentum stays zero, the heavier piece carries an equal and opposite momentum:
6v = 72 2 v = 12 2 m/s
Answer: (3)