2015 · Q19
Statement IWhen a gun is fired it recoils, i.e., it pushes back, with much less velocity than the velocity of the bullet.
Statement IIVelocity of the recoiling gun is less because the gun is much heavier than the bullet.
General KnowledgePhysics
- ABoth the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
- BBoth the statements are individually true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.
- CStatement I is true, but Statement II is false.
- DStatement I is false, but Statement II is true.
Explanation
When a gun is fired, conservation of momentum requires the gun to recoil as the bullet moves forward. Since the gun's mass is far greater than the bullet's, its recoil velocity is proportionally far smaller (momentum = mass × velocity must balance). Both statements are true, and Statement II correctly explains Statement I — option A.