The total momentum is the vector sum of all the objects in a system.In any interaction the total momentum before and after stays the same provided there is no external force.In an explosion of a stationary object the total initial momentum is zero, so the total final must also be zero for momentum to be conserved.So the vector sum of all the momenta of all the particles in an explosion must add up to zero, so the particles fly in different directions.
Explosions
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Specification: Edexcel Physics (8PH0), AS-level, Topic 2: Mechanics. Topic: Momentum.
More in Momentum
- Momentum
- Newton's Second Law of Motion
- Collisions
- Newton's Third Law of Motion
- Momentum Question 1
- Momentum Question 2
- Momentum Question 3
- Momentum Question 4
All 9 lessons in Momentum · All Edexcel AS-level Physics topics