CENTRE OF MASS, BASIC HOME WORK SHEET-2

Motion of Centre of Mass

1. Two particles bearing mass ratio n : 1 are interconnected by a light inextensible string that passes over
a smooth pulley. If the system is released, then the acceleration of the centre of mass of the system
is :
2 2
 n  1  n  1  n  1
(A) (n – 1) g2
(B) 
 n  1
g (C) 
 n  1
g (D)  g
n  1
2. Consider a system of two identical particles. One of the particles is at rest and the other has an acceleration

a. The centre of mass has an acceleration.
1 
(A) zero (B) a (C) a (D) 2 a
2

R
3. Consider a thin stick of length L, standing on one of its ends on a frictionless surface. It is slightly pushed

I
at the other end of the rod. Then, path of centre of mass of the rod is :
y
2

S
2 2 L
(A) x = 0 (B) x  y  B
4

x2 y2

C
(C) y = 0 (D)  1
L2 / 4 L2 x
A
4. X and Y components of acceleration of C. M. are :

K
m1
m1m2 g m1m2 g

N
(A) (aCM ) X  m  m (B) (aCM ) X  (m  m ) 2
1 2 1 2
m2
2
 m2   m2 
(C) ( aCM )Y   g (D) (aCM )Y   m  m  g
 m1  m2   1 2


5. Two particles of equal masses have velocities V1  2iˆ m/s. The first particle has an acceleration

 m
a1  (3iˆ  3) 2 . while the acceleration of the other particle is zero. The centre of mass of the particles
s
moves in a :
(A) circle (B) parabola (C) straight line (D) ellipse

6. Two blocks A and B are connected by a massless string (shown in figure). A force of 30 N is applied
on block B. The distance travelled by centre of mass in 2 s starting from rest is

B
A
10 kg 20 kg F = 30N
Smooth
7. Two blocks of equal masses m are released from the top of a smooth fixed wedge as shown in the
figure. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the centre of mass of the two blocks.

m
m
30º 60º

IR
S
KC
N
ANSWERS
HOME WORK SHEET-2
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. B, C 5. B
6. 2m 7. g/2