Consider a system of two particles having masses m1 and m2. If the particle of mass m1 is pushed towards the mass centre of particles through a distance d, by what distance would the particle of mass m2 move so as to keep the mass centre of particles at the original position?
- m1m1 + m2d
- m1m2d
- d
- m2m1d
Answer
(2) m1m2d
Solution
For the centre of mass to stay fixed, xcm = m1 x1 + m2 x2m1 + m2 = 0
m1 d = m2 d2 (both move towards the centre of mass)
d2 = m1m2d
Answer: (2)