Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Centre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Centre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
If two balls are tossed simultaneously into the air, the...
If two balls are tossed simultaneously into the air, the acceleration of their centre of mass while in flight
Options
- Adepends on the masses of the two balls
- Bis equal to
- Cdepends on the direction of motion of the balls
- Ddepends on the speeds of the two balls
Correct answer
B. is equal to
Step-by-step solution
Let the masses of the two balls be and .
While in flight, the only force acting on each ball is gravity (ignoring air resistance).
The acceleration of the first ball is and the acceleration of the second ball is .
The acceleration of the centre of mass of the two balls is given by:
Substituting and :
Thus, the acceleration of their centre of mass is equal to downwards, independent of their masses, speeds, or directions of motion.
While in flight, the only force acting on each ball is gravity (ignoring air resistance).
The acceleration of the first ball is and the acceleration of the second ball is .
The acceleration of the centre of mass of the two balls is given by:
Substituting and :
Thus, the acceleration of their centre of mass is equal to downwards, independent of their masses, speeds, or directions of motion.