Question

The center of mass is defined as a point on the straight line between two objects with masses m and m₂ coordinates of the center of mass? m₂ = (X2Y₂) 4 m₁ = (x₁, y₁) OA L₂ center of mass m₂x₁ + m₂x₂ m₂y₁ + m₂Y/₂ 2(m, + m₂) 2(m, + m₂) B. (m₂(x₁ + x₂) M₂ (Y₁+Y/₂) 2(m, + m₂) 2(m, + m₂) OCM₂X₁ + M₁X₂ M₂Y₁ + M₁Y₂ m₂ + m₂ m₂ + m₂ D. m₂x₁ + m₂x₂ m₂v₁ + M₂Y/₂ m₁ + m₂ m₁ + m₂ 4, m₂ = such that 4₂ m₂ What are the​

Answer 1

D

Explanation:

As is often the case with multiple choice questions, a simple check of the reasonableness of the answers will identify the correct one.

Here, the key is that the center of mass will be at the non-zero mass if one of them is zero. Assuming m2 = 0, the center of mass will have coordinates (x1, y1).

Checking the offered expressions when m2=0, we have ...

A. (m1x1/(2m1), m1y1/(2m1)) = (x1/2, y1/2) ≠ (x1, y1)

B. (m1(x1 +x2)/(2m1), 0) = ((x1+x2)/2, 0) ≠ (x1, y1)

C. (m1x2/m1, m1y2/m1) = (x2, y2) ≠ (x1, y1)

D. (m1x1/m1, m1y1/m1) = (x1, y1) . . . . . the answer we're looking for