Question

A spacecraft is separated into two parts by detonating the explosive bolts that hold them together. the masses of the parts are 1300 kg and 1700 kg. the magnitude of the impulse on each part from the bolts is 210 n · s. with what relative speed do the two parts separate because of the detonation?

Answer 1

Ft = mv - mu Choose the frame of reference where initially the spacecraft is at rest - I'm assuming it isn't accelerating. Ft = 300ns taking u=0, First part of craft: 210 = 1300 * v v= 0.25m/s Second part: 210 = 1700 *v v=0.1666m/s These velocities will be in opposite directions so adding them together gives the relative speed of the 2 parts ie. v rel = 0.16666+0.25 = 0.41666m/s