How Can I Calculate Kinetic Energy in an Explosion?

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In summary, to solve this problem, you must use both conservation of momentum and energy. The explosion released 7500J of energy, and the two resulting pieces have a mass ratio of 1:1.5. By using both principles, you can solve for the kinetic energy acquired by each piece.
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Homework Statement


An explosion breaks an object into 2 pieces, one of which has 1.5 times the mass as the other. If the explosion released 7500J, how much kinetic energy did each piece acquire?


Homework Equations



conservation of momentum and energy

The Attempt at a Solution



I have tried using conservation of energy where the initial energy=7500J and no potential gravitational energy because i saw that that point of the explosion is y=0 and i said that Kinetic energy of object one plus kinetic energy of object 2=energy final right after the explosion.I just can't get anywhere
 
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  • #2
You've done conservation of energy, but you ought to use momentum as well.
 

FAQ: How Can I Calculate Kinetic Energy in an Explosion?

What is an inelastic collision?

An inelastic collision is a type of collision where kinetic energy is not conserved. This means that the total kinetic energy of the system before and after the collision is not the same. In an inelastic collision, some of the kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.

How is an inelastic collision different from an elastic collision?

An elastic collision is a type of collision where kinetic energy is conserved. This means that the total kinetic energy of the system before and after the collision is the same. In an elastic collision, there is no loss of kinetic energy and all of the initial kinetic energy is transferred to the final kinetic energy of the system.

What factors affect the degree of inelasticity in a collision?

The degree of inelasticity in a collision is affected by factors such as the materials involved, the speed and angle of the collision, and the presence of any external forces. For example, collisions between objects made of elastic materials tend to be more elastic than collisions between objects made of non-elastic materials.

How is the coefficient of restitution related to inelastic collisions?

The coefficient of restitution is a measure of the elasticity of a collision. In an inelastic collision, the coefficient of restitution is less than 1, meaning that the final velocity of the objects is less than the initial velocity. The closer the coefficient of restitution is to 0, the more inelastic the collision is.

What real-life examples can illustrate inelastic collisions?

Some examples of inelastic collisions in everyday life include car accidents, falling objects hitting the ground, and sports such as billiards or bowling. In these situations, some of the kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as sound or deformation of the objects involved.

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