COMEDK2025PhysicsCenter of Mass, Momentum and CollisionActual
Select the correct statement from the following: The position of the centre of mass of a system:
Options
- ADoes not depend on the shape and size of the system
- BDepend on the choice of coordinates
- CDepends on the distribution of its mass.
- DRemains the same in any translatory motion
Correct answer
C. Depends on the distribution of its mass.
Step-by-step solution
The position of the centre of mass of a system of particles is defined by the vector R _ cm = m_i r _i m_i . This definition shows that the location of the centre of mass is determined by the individual masses m_i and their respective position vectors r _i relative to the chosen origin. Since the position vectors r _i depend on the distribution of mass within the system, the centre of mass is fundamentally a property of the mass distribution of the body or system. While the numerical coordinates of the centre of ma