Question

a firecracker at rest explodes, sending fragments off in all directions. initially, the firecracker has zero momentum. what happens to the total momentum of the fragments immediately after the explosion? multiple choice the total momentum remains zero because momentum cannot be created or destroyed. the total momentum becomes a large random value due to the random velocities of the fragments. the total momentum decreases due to friction. the total momentum increases due to the explosion force.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system (no external forces), total momentum remains constant. The firecracker - fragment system has no external forces immediately after explosion, and initial momentum is zero. So total momentum of fragments remains zero. The other options are wrong: random velocities don't make momentum random (momenta cancel), friction is negligible immediately after, and explosion force is internal (doesn't change total momentum).

Answer:

A. The total momentum remains zero because momentum cannot be created or destroyed.