A frictionless circular wire of unit radius is fixed on the horizontal plane. Two-point particles of unit mass start moving simultaneously from point A ( = 2 ) with identical uniform angular speeds in opposite directions, and meet again at point B ( = - 2 ). During this time, which of the following figures schematically represent the magnitude of the total linear momentum P of the system, as a function of ? [figure]
- [figure]
- [figure]
- [figure]
- [figure]
Answer
(4) [figure]
Solution
Let the angle of the two particles be symmetric about the vertical axis.
At = 2, both particles move horizontally in opposite directions, so P = 0.
At = 0, both particles move vertically downwards, so their velocities add up, giving maximum momentum P = 2mv.
At = - 2, both particles again move horizontally in opposite directions, giving P = 0.
The magnitude of momentum varies smoothly as P( ) = 2mv , which corresponds to curve (4).
Answer: (4)