High School

A missile explodes, separating into two parts. Immediately after the explosion, the first part, a 35.8 kg tail, travels with a velocity of [tex]182 \, \text{m/s}[/tex] oriented at [tex]30.0^\circ[/tex] counterclockwise from the positive:

a) x-axis
b) y-axis
c) z-axis
d) Origin

Answer :

The missile explodes into two parts, with the tail part moving at a specific velocity. So the correct axis for its orientation is the b) y-axis.

The question provided describes a scenario where a missile or projectile explodes into two parts, following the principles of conservation of momentum in physics. The situation can be analyzed using vectors to determine the direction of the velocity of the tail of the missile. The question specifies that the 35.8kg tail moves at a velocity of 182m/s at 30 degrees counterclockwise from one of the reference axes.

The various options referenced (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, origin) suggest a three-dimensional coordinate system, but typical projectile motion is analyzed within a two-dimensional cartesian plane, considering the x-axis as the horizontal direction and the y-axis as the vertical direction. The correct option is b) y-axis.

To solve this problem, we need to analyze the velocities of the two parts of the missile after the explosion. The first part, the 35.8kg tail, is moving with a velocity of 182 m/s at 30.0 degrees counterclockwise from the positive y-axis.

By considering the orientation of the velocity vector of the tail part, we can determine that the answer corresponds to the y-axis. Therefore, the correct option is b) y-axis.