Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsCentre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
While falling vertically downwards under gravity, a body breaks into two parts of unequal masses. The centre of mass of the two parts taken together shifts horizontally towards the
Options
- Alighter piece
- Bdoes not shift horizontally
- Cdepends on the vertical velocity at the time of breaking
- Dheavier piece
Correct answer
B. does not shift horizontally
Step-by-step solution
When a body falls vertically downwards under gravity, the only external force acting on the system is the gravitational force, which acts in the vertically downward direction. There is no external force acting on the body in the horizontal direction. According to the principle of conservation of linear momentum, if the net external force acting on a system in a given direction is zero, the velocity of the centre of mass in that direction remains constant. Since the initial horizontal velocity of the body is zero, t