A firecracker explodes in midair and breaks up into many fragments. Which of the following statements are true regarding conditions immediately before and immediately after the explosion:
I. The total momentum of the fragments is equal to the original momentum of the firecracker.
II. The total kinetic energy of the fragments is equal to the original kinetic energy of the firecracker.
A) Statement I only
B) Statement II only
C) Both Statement I and Statement II
D) Neither statement is true.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a closed system is constant if no external forces are acting on it. Therefore, the total momentum of the fragments immediately after the explosion is equal to the momentum of the firecracker before it exploded. However, the total kinetic energy may not be conserved in an inelastic collision or explosion, as some energy is converted into other forms, such as sound and heat.

A Firecracker Explodes in Midair and Breaks Up into Many