Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321993721
ISBN 13: 978-0-32199-372-4

Chapter 9 - Exercises and Problems - Page 163: 24

Answer

The kinetic energy after the explosion is four times as great.

Work Step by Step

The mass distribution of the two pieces does not matter, so we will assume they are equal. (What you assume them to be does not matter.) Thus, the initial kinetic energy is: $=\frac{1}{2}(2m)v^2=mv^2$ The final kinetic energy is: $=\frac{1}{2}m(2v)^2+\frac{1}{2}m(2v)^2=4mv^2$ Thus, the kinetic energy after the explosion is four times as great.
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