Problem 8-61 Cons. of Momentum - Part 6 - A
A space vehicle and its fuel tank are moving with a velocity of \(350\; m/s\) toward a space station. The fuel tank is then jettisoned to the rear so that its velocity is only \(250\; m/s\) toward the station. What is the new speed of the space vehicle? The mass of the vehicle is \(3.25\) times that of the tank. [Ans. \(380\; m/s\)]
Accumulated Solution
No. Be careful. For the momentum "after" the separation you have just written the momentum "before". Although momentum is conserved in the system it is not for each individual part. So your statement, while correct is a truism with no helpful content.