A stationary body explodes into two parts of masses M₁ and M₂ . They move in opposite directions with velocities V₁ and V₂ . The ratio of their kinetic energies is

Step-by-step solution

By the law of conservation of linear momentum, the initial momentum of the stationary body is zero, so the final momentum of the system must also be zero. M₁ V₁ = M₂ V₂ The kinetic energy of a body in terms of its momentum P is given by K = P^2 2M . Since both parts have the same magnitude of momentum P , the ratio of their kinetic energies is: K₁ K₂ = P^2 2M₁ P^2 2M₂ = M₂ M₁ Answer: M₂ M₁