Problem 8-61 Cons. of Momentum - Part 7 - B

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. The explosion (or whatever is used) to separate $m_1$ and $m_2$ exerts  forces on the system; are they internal forces or external forces?

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