COMEDK2023Morning ShiftPhysicsCenter of Mass, Momentum and CollisionActual
In the diagram shown below, m₁ and m₂ are the masses of two particles and x₁ and x₂ are their respective distances from the origin O . The centre of mass of the system is
Options
- Am₁ m₂+x₁ x₂ m₁+m₂
- Bm₁ x₁+m₂ x₂ m₁+m₂
- Cm₁+m₂ 2
- Dm₁ x₂+m₂ x₂ m₁+m₂
Correct answer
B. m₁ x₁+m₂ x₂ m₁+m₂
Step-by-step solution
The position of the centre of mass X_ cm for a system of particles with masses m₁, m₂, ..., m_n at positions x₁, x₂, ..., x_n along a line is given by the formula: X_ cm = m_i x_i m_i For the given system with two particles of masses m₁ and m₂ at distances x₁ and x₂ from the origin O , the formula becomes: X_ cm = m₁ x₁ + m₂ x₂ m₁ + m₂ Answer: m₁ x₁+m₂ x₂ m₁+m₂