A firecracker of mass rises vertically and bursts at the highest point into two fragments
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A firecracker of mass 0.20kg rises vertically and bursts at the highest point into two fragments. The time of the explosion is extremely short, and air resistance is negligible. Which statement must be true immediately after the explosion?
(a) The heavier fragment possesses greater linear momentum magnitude than the lighter fragment
(b) The vector sum of the momenta of the two fragments is zero
(c) Gravitational force acts as an internal force on the fragments
(d) The total kinetic energy of the fragments equals that just before the explosion