JEE Main Physics question
A space craft of mass 'M' moving with velocity 'v' suddenly breaks into two pieces of same mass 'm'. After the explosion, one piece of mass 'm' becomes stationary. What is the velocity of the other part of the craft?
Answer: (A)
Solution
By conservation of momentum: Mv = mv₁ + mv₂ ⟹ Mv = m(0) + (M−m)v₂ ⟹ v₂ = Mv/(M−m).