---
title: "A rocket of mass \\( 975 \\) \\( \\text{kg} \\) is moving at a speed of \\( 5.8 \\times 10^{3} \\) \\( \\text{m/s} \\) relative to Earth. Along the line of its motion a pre-planned explosion separates the rocket into two pieces of equal mass. The pieces move with a speed of \\( 2.2 \\times 10^{3} \\) \\( \\text{m/s} \\) relative to each other."
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/108184/"
date_modified: "2026-08-18T02:38:13+00:00"
---

# A rocket of mass \( 975 \) \( \text{kg} \) is moving at a speed of \( 5.8 \times 10^{3} \) \( \text{m/s} \) relative to Earth. Along the line of its motion a pre-planned explosion separates the rocket into two pieces of equal mass. The pieces move with a speed of \( 2.2 \times 10^{3} \) \( \text{m/s} \) relative to each other.

A rocket of mass \( 975 \) \( \text{kg} \) is moving at a speed of \( 5.8 \times 10^{3} \) \( \text{m/s} \) relative to Earth. Along the line of its motion a pre-planned explosion separates the rocket into two pieces of equal mass. The pieces move with a speed of \( 2.2 \times 10^{3} \) \( \text{m/s} \) relative to each other.

**Part a)** Determine the velocity of each piece relative to Earth. *(3 points)*

**Part b)** Calculate how much kinetic energy was lost or gained as a result of the explosion. *(3 points)*


*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/108184/*