Blender 3D - Test of explode modifier
A very simple test of the explode modifier in Blender 3D (2.78c): a simple uv sphere has a particle system attached to it and then an explode modifier, which breaks all the faces away from the mesh. The sphere also has a solidify modifer applied to it to thicken the faces.
Additionally, the sphere has a rotation in X and Z applied to it and below it is a glossy (mirroring) plane that also is defined as a collision object so the falling faces of the sphere bounce of it. Loads of things happening with relatively little work! :-D