A shell is fired from a canon with a velocity `theta` at angle with the horizontal direction. At the highest point in its path it explodes into two pieces of equal masses. One of the pieces retraces its path to the canon. The speed of the other piece immediately after the explosion is:

Options

A. 3v cos `theta`
B. 2v cos `theta`
C. `3/2` v `theta`
D. v cos `theta`

Answer

a

Explanation

Applying conservation law `m_1v_1+m_2v_2=mv cos theta`
Now `m_1=m_2=m/2` and `v_1=-v cos theta`
`m/2(-v cos theta)+m/2v_2=mv cos theta`
or `v_2=3v cos theta`.