A stationary body explodes into three equal-mass parts. Two momenta are −2pî and pĵ. The magnitude of third momentum is p√n. Find n.
Physics · Mixed Chapter
JEE Main Practice

Question

A stationary body explodes into three equal-mass parts. Two momenta are −2pî and pĵ. The magnitude of third momentum is p√n. Find n.

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Total momentum is conserved and starts at zero. Step 2: p⃗₃=−(p⃗₁+p⃗₂)=2pî−pĵ. Step 3: |p⃗₃|=√[(2p)²+(−p)²]=p√5, hence n=5.