Shift in Centre of Mass of Boat System – Rankers Physics
Topic: Center of Mass , Momentum and Collision
Subtopic: Motion of Center of Mass

Shift in Centre of Mass of Boat System

Two persons of masses $55\text{ kg}$ and $65\text{ kg}$ respectively, are at the opposite ends of a boat. The length of the boat is $3.0\text{ m}$ and weighs $100\text{ kg}$. The $55\text{ kg}$ man walks up to the $65\text{ kg}$ man and sits with him. If the boat is in still water the center of mass of the system shifts by:

(2012 Pre)

$3.0\text{ m}$
$2.3\text{ m}$
Zero
$0.75\text{ m}$

Solution:

Since no external horizontal force acts on the system (boat + persons), the position of the centre of mass of the system remains unchanged. Thus, the shift in the centre of mass is zero. Option (c) is correct.

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