Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsCentre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
For which of the following situations is the centre of mass of a rod definitively not located at its geometric centre?
Options
- AThe density increases continuously from left to right.
- BThe density increases from left to right up to the centre, and then decreases.
- CThe density decreases continuously from left to right.
- DThe density decreases from left to right up to the centre, and then increases.
Correct answer
C. The density decreases continuously from left to right.
Step-by-step solution
Let the rod be placed along the x-axis from x = -L/2 to x = L/2 . The geometric centre is at x = 0 . The position of the centre of mass is given by x_ cm = _ -L/2 ^ L/2 x (x) dx _ -L/2 ^ L/2 (x) dx . If the density (x) increases continuously from left to right, then (x) > (-x) for all x > 0 . The numerator of x_ cm can be written as ₀^ L/2 x ( (x) - (-x)) dx . Since (x) > (-x) for x > 0 , this integral is strictly positive, meaning x_ cm > 0 . Thus, the centre of mass is definitively to the right of the geometric c