Two particles which are initially at rest, move towards each other under the action of their internal attraction. If their speeds are v and 2v at any instant, then the speed of centre of mass of the system will be :
- 2v
- zero
- 1.5 v
- v
Answer
(2) zero
Solution
Only internal forces act, so the net external force is zero:
M acm = Fext = 0
vcm = constant
Initially both particles are at rest, so vcm = 0, and it stays zero at every instant.
Answer: (2)