A stationary space probe system in deep space consists of a main satellite body and an ejectable scientific sub-probe. The system is initially at rest. The sub-probe is then ejected directly away from the main satellite body by a spring-release mechanism.
After ejection, the main satellite body has a mass that is exactly four times the mass of the sub-probe. Assume that the system is isolated and all of the energy released by the spring-release mechanism is transferred into the kinetic energy of the sub-probe and the main satellite body.
Show that the kinetic energy of the ejected sub-probe represents exactly 80%80\%80% of the total kinetic energy of the system post-ejection.
The total kinetic energy transferred to the sub-probe and the satellite body is 2.25×103 J2.25 \times 10^3\text{ J}2.25×103 J. Calculate the initial speed of the sub-probe, given that its mass is 16.0 kg16.0\text{ kg}16.0 kg.
84 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Force, energy and momentum, covering Scalars and vectors, Moments, Motion along a straight line, Projectile motion, Newton's laws of motion, Momentum, Work, energy and power, and Conservation of energy. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.