Chapter 14.2, Problem 14.55P

Three small identical spheres A, B, and C, which can slide on a horizontal, frictionless surface, are attached to three 9-on.-long strings, which are tied to a ring G. Initially the spheres rotate clockwise about the ring with a relative velocity of 2.6 ft/s and the ring moves along the x axis with a velocity $v_0=\left(1.3\text{ft/s}\right)\text{i}$ . Suddenly the ring breaks and the three spheres move freely in the xy plane with A and B following paths parallel to the y axis at a distance $a=1.0$ ft from each other and C following a path parallel to the x axis. Determine (a) the velocity of each sphere, (b) the distance d.