Physics - Center of Mass Question with Solution | TestHub

A cannon of mass $10\times 10^3\mathrm{kg}$ is rigidly bolted to the earth so it can recoil only by a negligible amount. The cannon fires a $2.1\times 10^3\mathrm{kg}$ shell horizontally with an initial velocity of $550\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$. Suppose the cannon is then unbolted from the earth, and no external force hinders its recoil. What would be the velocity (in m/s)of a shell fired horizontally by this loose cannon? (Assume that the burning gunpowder imparts the same kinetic energy to the system.)