Question

a space probe with a mass of 4000 kg expels 3,500 of its mass at a velocity of 2000 m/s. what is the velocity of the remaining 500 kg of the probe?The picture is what my teacher said to do but I need help solving it because I keep getting different answers. We are learning about momentum and explosions.

Answer 1

Given data

*The space probe with a mass is 4000 kg

*The expels mass from the space probe is M = 3500 kg

*The expels mass moving with the velocity is v = 2000 m/s

*The remaining mass is m = 500 kg

The expression for the velocity of the remaining 500 kg of the probe is given by the conservation of momentum as

$\begin{gathered} P_{i_{}}=P_f \\ 0=mv_1+Mv \end{gathered}$

Substitute the values in the above expression as

$\begin{gathered} 0=(500)v_1+(3500)(2000) \\ v_1=-14000\text{ m/s} \end{gathered}$