A 4 kg device was tossed off the edge of a cliff and allowed to fall to the grou
ID: 1551605 • Letter: A
Question
A 4 kg device was tossed off the edge of a cliff and allowed to fall to the ground. Its path is shown below. The process is repeated but during the flight the device splits into two pieces (1 kg and 3 kg) which in turn fall to the ground along different trajectories. Where is the center of mass of the two pieces after they land on the ground?
a. To the left of the original landing point.
b. At the original landing point.
c. To the right of the original landing point.
Can someone please explain why the COM is at the original landing point (B is correct answer) and not right in the middle of the two pieces? Which seems the most rational answer...
Explanation / Answer
the range of 4 kg particle is xcm
and also range of 3 kg particle is X1
range of 1 kg particle is X2
center of mass is xcm = ((m1*X1)+(m2*X2))(m1+m2) = ((3*X1)+(1*X2))/(1+3) = (3X1+X2)/4
this value is exactly balances with the range of 4 kg particle
so the answer is at the original landing point