physics question-a bomb,initially at rest,explodes into pieces,is P = mv conserved?

Question

by P= mv I mean the law of linear momentum

i should have also asked to explain how it is conserved. because v is representative of velocity (a vector quantity) what is it within the system (the bomb) that also has a velocity. consider that before the gun powder is ignited there is in fact no kinetic energy within the system but chemical potential energy. it is obvious that mass is conserved and so too is momentum after the explosion. However, my real question is how potential energy (in this case chemical) can be converted into momentum. And don't just say PE = KE and so there must be momentum.

Answer 1

Yes, momentum is always conserved.

In this case, the intial momentum is zero since it is at rest. Therefore, after the explosion, the final momentum is zero.

This means that if the bomb were to break into two pieces of equal mass, the two pieces would fly off in exactly opposite directions with exactly the same speed. This is what is required for momentum to be conserved.

Answer 2

Yes! The force of the explosion is INTERNAL to the system. The momentum of this isolated system is conserved.

Answer 3

You seem to be worried that initially the bomb was at rest but that after the explosion there are pieces in motion.

However, if you do a vector summation of the momenta of the pieces you will find that they add to zero.

Answer 4

Yes, momentum is always conserved.

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

obviously yes

Answer 7

yes,ofcourse.