10/19/09 - Review of Center of Mass and Conservation of Momentum
Center of Mass and Momentum
A 1.0-kg mass and a 4.0-kg mass are at rest in the middle of a 5.0-kg frame (2-m long) resting on a frictionless table. The center of mass of the whole system is at the center of the frame. An explosion pushes the two masses apart and they slide with no friction. The 1.0-kg mass goes off with a speed of 12 m/sec. Eventually each mass is trapped by the putty.
a) What is the speed of the 4.0-kg mass immediately after the explosion?
b) Where is the center of mass of the whole system (frame and two masses) after 1 sec? after 2 secs?
c) What is the velocity of the frame and the attached masses after 100 secs?
d) Describe the motion qualitatively from the time of the explosion to 100 secs.