Question

An object with kinetic energy k explodes into two pieces, each of which moves with twice the speed of the original object.

Answer 1

Assuming that the momenta of the two pieces are equal: when they have equal velocities, then the masses of the two pieces are also equal. Since there is no force from outside of the system, the center of mass moves on with the same velocity as before the equation. So the two pieces must fly at the side side of the mass center, i.e., they must always be at 90° to the side of the mass center. Otherwise it would not be the mass center, respectively the pieces would not have equal velocities. This is only possible, when the angle of their velocity with the initial direction is 60°. Because, cos (60°) = 1/2 = v/(2v).