COM BYU 32

Physics Solution Q32

Solution to Question 32

1. Motion of the Center of Mass (CM)

The external forces (gravity) act identically on the shell before and after explosion. Thus, the CM follows the original parabolic trajectory.

Initial Conditions:

  • Initial Height $y_0 = 15 \text{ m}$
  • Horizontal Velocity $u_x = 165 \text{ m/s}$
  • Vertical Velocity $u_y = 0 \text{ m/s}$
  • Projection Point: $(0, 15, 0)$

Position of CM at $t = 1.5 \text{ s}$:

$$ X_{cm} = u_x t = 165 \times 1.5 = 247.5 \text{ m} $$

$$ Y_{cm} = y_0 – \frac{1}{2}gt^2 = 15 – \frac{1}{2}(10)(1.5)^2 = 15 – 11.25 = 3.75 \text{ m} $$

$$ Z_{cm} = 0 \text{ m} $$

So, $\vec{R}_{cm} = (247.5, 3.75, 0)$.

x y z 15m CM Frag 1 (z=7) Frag 2 (z=-7)

Figure 2: Position of the Center of Mass and the two fragments at t = 1.5s.

2. Position of Fragments

The shell splits into two identical fragments, so $m_1 = m_2 = m/2$.

From the definition of Center of Mass:

$$ \vec{R}_{cm} = \frac{m_1 \vec{r}_1 + m_2 \vec{r}_2}{m_1 + m_2} = \frac{\vec{r}_1 + \vec{r}_2}{2} $$

Rearranging for the unknown fragment position $\vec{r}_2$:

$$ \vec{r}_2 = 2\vec{R}_{cm} – \vec{r}_1 $$

3. Calculation

Fragment 1 Position ($\vec{r}_1$):

  • Distance from wall ($x$): 240 m
  • On the ground ($y$): 0 m
  • 7 m to the right of x-axis ($z$): 7 m (Assuming right is positive z)
  • $\vec{r}_1 = (240, 0, 7)$

Applying the formula:

$$ x_2 = 2(247.5) – 240 = 495 – 240 = 255 \text{ m} $$ $$ y_2 = 2(3.75) – 0 = 7.5 \text{ m} $$ $$ z_2 = 2(0) – 7 = -7 \text{ m} $$

Answer: The position of the other fragment is (255 m, 7.5 m, -7 m).