A stationary block explodes into two pieces L and R that slide across a frictionless floor and then into regions with friction, where they stop. Piece L, with a mass of 2.0 kg, encounters a coefficient of kinetic friction µL = 0.40 and slides to a stop in distance dL = 0.15 m. Piece R encounters a coefficient of kinetic friction µR = 0.50 and slides to a stop in distance dR = 0.20 m. What was the mass of the original block?

Question

the momentum of L and R are equal.

energyL= mu*mg*distance
then solve for velocity L (KE=energy)

knowing velocityL, you can use momentum to find veloicty R.

I did:

energyL = mu*mg*distance
energyL = (.4)(2)(9.8)(.15)
energyL = 1.176

Then,

KE = 1/2mv^2
1.176 = 1/2(2)v^2
v = 1.08 m/s

Then which equation do I use???