Step 1: Calculate initial kinetic energy
Mass $m = 8$ kg, momentum $p = 24$ kg m/s. Velocity $v = \frac{p}{m} = \frac{24}{8} = 3$ m/s. Initial kinetic energy $KE_i = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 3^2 = 4 \times 9 = 36$ J.
Step 2: Calculate final velocity and kinetic energy
Force $F = 24$ N, time $t = 3$ s. Acceleration $a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{24}{8} = 3$ m/s$^2$. Final velocity $v_f = v_i + at = 3 + 3 \times 3 = 12$ m/s. Final kinetic energy $KE_f = \frac{1}{2} m v_f^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 12^2 = 4 \times 144 = 576$ J.
Step 3: Compute the increase in kinetic energy
Increase in kinetic energy = $KE_f - KE_i = 576 - 36 = 540$ J, matching option (2).