The total kinetic energy of the cannon and cannonball system is derived from the energy of the blast. If the energy of the blast remains the same, the distribution of this energy between the cannon and the cannonball will change as the mass of the cannon increases.
According to the principle of conservation of momentum and energy, if the mass of the cannon increases, it will recoil with a smaller velocity compared to the cannonball. Since kinetic energy is proportional to the square of velocity (KE = 0.5 * m * v^2), the cannon's increase in mass will cause it to possess less kinetic energy overall compared to a scenario where the cannon is lighter. This will mean that more of the kinetic energy from the explosion will go to the cannonball, and the total kinetic energy of the system (cannon + cannonball) depends on how energy is distributed.
However, as the blast energy is constant, the total kinetic energy of the system remains the same despite how it is divided between the cannon and the cannonball.
Thus, the correct response is:
The total kinetic energy remains the same.
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