Q. A space craft of mass ‘$M$’ and moving with velocity ‘$v$’ suddenly breaks in two pieces of same mass $m$. After the explosion one of the mass ‘$m$’ becomes stationary. What is the velocity of the other part of craft
A) $\frac{Mv}{M - m}$
B) $v$
C) $\frac{Mv}{m}$
D) $\frac{M - m}{m}v$
Explanation
(a) By the particle of conservation of linear momentum,
$Mv = mv_{1} + mv_{2} \Rightarrow Mv = 0 + (M - m)v_{2} \Rightarrow v_{2} = \frac{Mv}{M - m}$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.