A space probe of mass 1000kg, moving at 200m/s, explosively ejects a capsule of mass 300kg. The speed of the probe after the explosion is 250m/s. What is the velocity of the capsule?

To solve this problem, we must apply conservation of momentum. Even though there is kinetic energy being added to the probe-capsule system by the explosion, momentum will always be conserved if there are no external forces. These external forces could be, for example, air resistance or friction, but since we are in space we do not need to consider this.

We first calculate the momentum of the probe-capsule system before the explosion:

pi = 1000kg * 200 m/s = 200,000kgm/s

After ejecting the 300 kg capsule, the probe only weighs 700 kg. The total momentum is therefore:

pf = pprobe + pcapsule = 700kg * 250 m/s + 300 kg * vcapsule

Conservation of momentum requires

pf = pi

and inserting the above results yields:

700kg * 250 m/s + 300kg * vcapsule = 200,000kgm/s

vcapsule = (200,000 – 700*250)/300 m/s = 83.33 m/s

Since we have chosen velocities to be positive along the direction of motion of the probe, this means the probe and capsule must still be moving in the same direction.

AS
Answered by Alexander S. Physics tutor

7232 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A light wave has a wavelength of 420nm, calculate the energy of this wave in joules.


An electron is traveling at a velocity of 500m/s perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field. A force of magnitude 4.32 x10^(-16) N is acting on the electron, what is the magnetic flux density of the field?


Particle A (60kg) moves right at 50m/s. It collides with particle B (250kg) moving left at 10m/s. If after the collision particle A moves left at 20m/s, calculate the final velocity of particle B


What is the Rutherford scattering experiment and what did it tell us about the nature of the atom?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning