A space probe of mass 1000kg, moving at 200m/s, explosively ejects a capsule of mass 300kg. The speed of the probe after the explosion is 250m/s. What is the velocity of the capsule?

To solve this problem, we must apply conservation of momentum. Even though there is kinetic energy being added to the probe-capsule system by the explosion, momentum will always be conserved if there are no external forces. These external forces could be, for example, air resistance or friction, but since we are in space we do not need to consider this.

We first calculate the momentum of the probe-capsule system before the explosion:

pi = 1000kg * 200 m/s = 200,000kgm/s

After ejecting the 300 kg capsule, the probe only weighs 700 kg. The total momentum is therefore:

pf = pprobe + pcapsule = 700kg * 250 m/s + 300 kg * vcapsule

Conservation of momentum requires

pf = pi

and inserting the above results yields:

700kg * 250 m/s + 300kg * vcapsule = 200,000kgm/s

vcapsule = (200,000 – 700*250)/300 m/s = 83.33 m/s

Since we have chosen velocities to be positive along the direction of motion of the probe, this means the probe and capsule must still be moving in the same direction.

AS
Answered by Alexander S. Physics tutor

6949 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A guitar string 0.65m long vibrates with a first harmonic frequency of 280Hz. Mary measures 1m of the string and discovers that it weighs 8.0x10^-4 kg. What is the tension in the guitar string?


How do I find an area in m^2 when I'm given lengths in cm?


A mass, m, is resting on a slope being slowly tilted upwards from horizontal. The static friction co-efficient is 0.3 and the dynamic friction co-efficient is 0.2: at what angle will the mass begin to slip?


What is the difference between an elastic and inelastic collision


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences