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11. Momentum & Impulse - Part 3 of 3
11. Momentum & Impulse / Intro to Center of Mass / Problem 11

A research balloon, equipped for atmospheric studies, is stationary at a high altitude above the Earth's surface. It has a total mass M1M_1 , including both the balloon and attached scientific instruments. For specific data collection, one instrument package, with a mass M2M_2 , needs to be lowered to a different altitude. This instrument package is allowed to slide down a rope at a speed v relative to the balloon. Calculate the velocity VbV_b of the balloon relative to the Earth immediately after the package starts sliding. What happens to the balloon's velocity relative to the Earth if the instrument stops sliding?

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