A difficult physics problem...

[PolteRGeisT]

I find this problem difficult (I am a first year computer science student who is being forced to take physics). For the most part this course is quite easy, but then my prof threw this one at us as a challenge:

A mass explodes into two pieces, one of them is 2.1 times more massive than the other, and the total energy released is 7343J. How much energy does the more massive object have?

Two hours and I can't get a proper answer. :confused:

[eskiled]

Shouldnt that be a simple Algebra equation...


x + 2.1x = 7343
3.1x = 7343

x = 2368.7096774193548387096774193548

So 2.1x = 4974.2903225806451612903225806452
(4974.3)


Hope I helped,
eskiled

[PolteRGeisT]

Hmm... close, but you have them reversed. And that would never receive full credit :p

[PolteRGeisT]

Cool, I got a solution, give me a couple mins to put together the proper method and I'll post it, it's pretty neat!

[PolteRGeisT]

http://server2.uploadit.org/files/SuperMattio-ExplosionSolution.JPG

The momentum part was the big breakthrough. Strange how as soon as I ask for help I get the breakthrough I needed. :D

[eskiled]

Haha your welcome:p lol just kidding, goodjob anyways.


eskiled