Conservation of Momentum

Question

A 0.76 kg fireworks rocket moving at a speed of 32 m/s breaks into two pieces as the result of an explosion. After the explosion a 0.28 kg piece moves with a speed of 42 m/s in the original direction. What is the velocity of the other piece?

Answer 1

Conservation of momentum

mv = m1v1 +m2v2

0.76kg x 32m/s = 0.28 kg x 42 + (0.76-0.28)kg x v2

24.32 kgm/s = 11.76 kgm/s +  0.48kg x v2

0.48 v2 =24.32 - 11.76

0.48kg v2 =12.56 kgm/s

V2 = 12.56 kgm/0.48kgs

V2= 26.2 m/s