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title: "A projectile of mass \\(M\\) is launched over level ground and travels along a parabolic path in the absence of air resistance. At the apex of its trajectory, an internal explosive charge detonates, breaking the projectile into two fragments of masses \\(m_1\\) and \\(m_2\\), where \\(m_1 > m_2\\). While both fragments are still in flight, which of the following correctly describes the motion of the center of mass of the two-fragment system and provides the correct justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120683/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:42:39+00:00"
---

# A projectile of mass \(M\) is launched over level ground and travels along a parabolic path in the absence of air resistance. At the apex of its trajectory, an internal explosive charge detonates, breaking the projectile into two fragments of masses \(m_1\) and \(m_2\), where \(m_1 > m_2\). While both fragments are still in flight, which of the following correctly describes the motion of the center of mass of the two-fragment system and provides the correct justification?

A projectile of mass \(M\) is launched over level ground and travels along a parabolic path in the absence of air resistance. At the apex of its trajectory, an internal explosive charge detonates, breaking the projectile into two fragments of masses \(m_1\) and \(m_2\), where \(m_1 > m_2\). While both fragments are still in flight, which of the following correctly describes the motion of the center of mass of the two-fragment system and provides the correct justification?

- **A.** The center of mass continues along the original parabolic trajectory because the explosive forces are internal to the system, so the gravitational force remains the only net external force.
- **B.** The center of mass continues along the original parabolic trajectory because the total mechanical energy of the two-fragment system is conserved during the explosion.
- **C.** The center of mass deflects toward the path of fragment \(m_1\) because the more massive fragment carries a greater fraction of the post-explosion momentum.
- **D.** The center of mass accelerates downward with a magnitude greater than \(g\) because the explosion does positive work on the fragments.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120683/*