A stationary block explodes into three equal parts. Two of the parts travel along the X and Y axes, respectively, each with a speed of 10 m/s . Determine the initial velocity of the third part.

Step-by-step solution

Let the total mass of the stationary block be 3m . Since it explodes into three equal parts, the mass of each part is m . The initial momentum of the system is zero because the block is stationary. Let the velocities of the three parts be v ₁ , v ₂ , and v ₃ . Given that two parts travel along the X and Y axes with a speed of 10 m/s , we have: v ₁ = 10 i m/s v ₂ = 10 j m/s According to the law of conservation of linear momentum: P _ initial = P _ final 0 = m v ₁ + m v ₂ + m v ₃ 0 = m(10 i ) + m(10 j ) + m v ₃ v ₃ =