Question

A shell following a parabolic path explodes somewhere in its flight due to some internal forces. The centre of mass of fragments will move in

• A. $\text{Vertical direction}$
• B. $\text{Any direction}$
• C. $\text{Horizontal direction}$
• D. $\text{Same parabolic path}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $\text{Same parabolic path}$

$F_{\text{external}}$ before explosion$=mg$
$F_{\text{external}}$ after explosion$=mg$

The centre of mass of fragments continue to move in the same parabolic path because explosion occurs due to internal forces only and motion of COM of system depends only on external forces which is constant in this case.