Displacement for Center of Mass (2004) – Rankers Physics
Topic: Center of Mass , Momentum and Collision
Subtopic: Motion of Center of Mass

Displacement for Center of Mass (2004)

Consider a system of two particles having masses $m_1$ and $m_2$. If the particle of mass $m_1$ is pushed towards the mass centre of particles through a distance '$d$' by what distance would the particle of mass $m_2$ move so as to keep the mass centre of particles at the original position:

(2004)

$\frac{m_1}{m_2} d$
$d$
$\frac{m_1}{m_2}$
$\frac{m_1}{m_1 + m_2} d$

Solution:

Concept: Shift in center of mass must be zero. Formula: $m_1 \Delta x_1 = m_2 \Delta x_2$. Solution: Substituting $\Delta x_1 = d$ gives $\Delta x_2 = \frac{m_1}{m_2}d$.

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