Question

During a fireworks show, a rocket is launched into the air and it gets explode. Which of the following statements about the parts of the rocket is appropriate immediately after the explosion?

• A. They have less mass than they had before the explosion
• B. They have more momentum than they had before the explosion
• C. They have less momentum than they had before the explosion
• D. They have the same momentum as they had before the explosion
• E. They have less kinetic energy than they had before the explosion

Answer 1

The correct option is D They have the same momentum as they had before the explosion

Explosion in the rocket takes place due to internal forces only. As there is no external force acting on the rocket, thus the linear momentum of the system is conserved.

$\frac{dP}{dt}=F_{ext}=0$ $⟹P=constant$

Thus option D is correct.