A shell (a large bullet) is shot with an initial speed of 20 m/s, 60 degrees above the horizontal. At the top of the trajectory, the bullet explodes into two fragments of equal mass. One fragment has a speed of zero just after the explosion and simply drops straight down. How far from the gun does the other fragment land, assuming that the ground is level and that the air drag is negligible.

17.656 m

Explanation:

Initial speed u = 20 m/s

angle of projection α = 60°

at the top of the trajectory, one fragment has a speed of zero and drops to the ground.

we should note that the top of the trajectory will coincide with halfway the horizontal range of the the projectile travel. This is because the projectile follows an upward arc up till it reaches its maximum height from the ground, before descending down by following a similar arc downwards.

To find the range of the projectile, we use the equation

R =

where g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s^2

Sin 2α = 2 x (sin α) x (cos α)

when α = 60°,

Sin 2α  = 2 x sin 60° x cos 60° = 2 x 0.866 x 0.5

Sin 2α  = 0.866

therefore,

R = = 35.31 m

since the other fraction with zero velocity drops a top of trajectory, distance between the two fragments assuming level ground and zero air drag, will be 35.31/2 = 17.656 m