Chapter 9, Problem 3Q

Consider a box that explodes into two pieces while moving with a constant positive velocity along an x axis. If one piece, with mass m_1, ends up with positive velocity ${\stackrel{\to }{v}}_1$, then the second piece, with mass m₂, could end up with (a) a positive velocity ${\stackrel{\to }{v}}_2$ (Fig. 9-25a), (b) a negative velocity ${\stackrel{\to }{v}}_2$ (Fig. 9-25b), or (c) zero velocity (Fig. 9-25c). Rank those three possible results for the second piece according to the corresponding magnitude of ${\stackrel{\to }{v}}_1$, greatest first.

Figure 9-25 Question 3.