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JAMB Physics 1990 Question 5

Question 5

Newton's Laws and Momentum

A particle of mass M which is at rest splits up into two. If the mass and velocity of one of the particles are m and v respectively, calculate the velocity of the second particle.

  1. A.mv/M
  2. B.Mv/(M − m)
  3. C.Mv/(M + m)
  4. D.mv/(M − m)
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (mv/(M − m))

Explanation

Total momentum stays zero, so the other piece, of mass M − m, has momentum mv the other way: V = mv/(M − m).