A loaded cannon is stationary. If the cannon fires a cannonball giving it a

Question

positive velocity, the cannon will recoil and roll back. What would the
cannon having a negative velocity indicate about the total kinetic energy of
the system? (1 point)

The total kinetic energy from the gunpowder reaction did not all
transfer to the cannonball, so some of it had to go into the
cannon, which is why it moves

The chemical reaction after firing the cannonball continues,
producing excess kinetic energy that is used by the cannon

The explosion of gunpowder is not an efficient method of energy
transfer

The law of conservation of energy is not valid in this case
because it does not work with chemical reactions

Answer 1

The statement that best explains the situation is:

The total kinetic energy from the gunpowder reaction did not all transfer to the cannonball, so some of it had to go into the cannon, which is why it moves.

In this scenario, when the cannon fires the cannonball and moves backward (recoils), the system conserves momentum. The kinetic energy of the system is divided between the cannonball and the cannon, resulting in both having kinetic energy, though not necessarily in a way that adheres to the conservation of kinetic energy in a straightforward manner. Some energy goes into the cannon (causing it to recoil), indicating that not all energy was converted into the kinetic energy of the cannonball.