Question

A bomb of mass 3 kg, initially at rest, explodes into two parts of 2 kg and 1 kg. The 2 kg mass travels with a velocity of 3 m/s. At what velocity will the 1 kg mass travel?

Answer 1

Mass of a bomb m = 3 kg 

Initial velocity of the bomb v = 0 

Mass of the first part m₁ = 2 kg 

Velocity of the first part v₁ = 3 m/s 

Mass of the second part m₂ = 1 kg 

Let the velocity of the second part be v₂ . 

By the law of conservation of momentum

mv = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

3 x 0 = 2 x 3 + 1 x v₂

0 = 6 + v₂

∴ v₂ = -6 m/s 

Velocity of the 1 kg mass = -6 m/s