Serway & Jewett — Linear Momentum and Collisions: Problem 29

You have been hired as an expert witness in an investigation of a quadcopter drone incident. The incident occurred during a very rare meteor shower during which several unusually massive chunks of meteoric material were passing through the atmosphere and striking the ground. The unmanned drone was hovering at rest over the center of a house on fire, having just dropped fire retardant, when it seemed to spontaneously explode into four large pieces. The locations of the four pieces on the ground were measured as follows, relative to the center of the house over which the drone was hovering: Piece 1: Mass 80.0 kg, Distance 150 m, Direction Due west Piece 2: Mass 120 kg, Distance 75.0 m, Direction Due north Piece 3: Mass 50.0 kg, Distance 90.0 m, Direction 20.0° west of south Piece 4: Mass 150 kg, Distance 50.0 m, Direction 20.0° north of east The fire department is suggesting that the drone was defective and exploded while in use. The drone manufacturer is suggesting that the drone was struck by a meteorite, causing the explosion. Perform a calculation that will show evidence suggesting agreement with one of these positions.