Question

A satellite explodes in outer space, far from any other body, sending thousands of pieces in all directions. How does the linear momentum of the satellite before the explosion compare with the total linear momentum of all the pieces after the explosion? Account for your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

They would be the same

Explanation:

Since there's no external force, or the external net force acting on the satellite is 0. By the law of conservation of momentum, the momentum before and after the explosion must be the same.

Even if the satellite is stationary prior to the explosion, its momentum is 0. After explosion it sends many of its pieces in all direction with different non 0 momentum. The total momentum by account of their direction would sum up to be 0.