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Grade 12th PassMechanics

A bomb dropped from an aeroplane explodes in air. Its total

(a) momentum (p) decreases

(b) p increases

(c) K.E. increases

(d) K.E. decreases

Explain pls.

Profile image of Aditi Bhatnagar
14 Years agoGrade 12th Pass
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2 Answers

Profile image of Swapnil Saxena
14 Years ago

Option (c) is the corrects answer.

Contradiction for Option (a)

Accord. to Newtons second law ,unless an unbalanced external force acts on the body there is no change in the momentum of the body.

In this case the only external force is present except gravity. So gravity alone can change the momentum of the body. Since the explosion produces an  internal force , cannot the momentum of the body.

Hoever it can cause a change in kinetic energy. In explosion a large amount of energy is released. Though most of energy is consumed in increasin the temperature while the remaining energy increases the kinetic energy of the body. Hence (c) is the correct option.   


Profile image of Abhimanyu`` Zala
14 Years ago

First of all be clear that no matter whatever acts may be it friction,air resistance etc etc the momentum is always and always conserved so be sure of it.Secondly the bomb which was dropped from the plane was initially at rest so just when you dropped it , the bomb exploded thus the kinetic energy increases bcoz it blasts in all direction with a tremendous velocity..

Hope This Helps..