Systems of Particles & Linear Momentum
Given three particles of equal mass m placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side s, where would you place a fourth particle of mass m to keep the center of mass at the same location?
At the geometric center of the triangle
Midpoint of one side
One of the original corners
Outside the triangle along perpendicular bisector
How do you find the center of mass for a uniform, symmetrical object?
By calculating where most of its weight is located.
By finding where it balances on a single point.
Through experimental measurements only.
It is located at the geometric center of the object.
If two objects with different masses collide in a closed system and one object is initially at rest, how does the momentum of the system just after the collision compare to the total initial momentum?
It remains equal to the total initial momentum.
It halves compared to the total initial momentum.
It doubles compared to the total initial momentum.
It becomes zero regardless of the individual momenta.
When identical satellites orbit around Earth at various altitudes which maintains highest speed assuming circular orbits negligible air resistance?
All maintain equal speeds regardless altitude differences
Higher altitude one due reduced gravitational influence facilitating quicker travel
Lower altitude satellite maintains highest orbital speed
They vary unpredictably because other factors like solar radiation pressure space debris impact more than weightlessness factor alone
A uniform spherical ball rolls without slipping up an inclined plane; which statement accurately reflects the situation regarding its acceleration components right before coming to rest momentarily?
Tangential and normal components both become zero as the ball stops completely for an instant.
Normal component reverses direction while tangential acceleration remains constant due to inertia effects.
Both tangential and normal accelerations increase uniformly until the ball ceases to move upwards on the incline plane.
The tangential component becomes zero while normal component remains unchanged due to gravity's consistent effect perpendicular to plane's surface.
A bar with uniform density lies along an x-axis with one end at x = 0 and extends to x = L; where is the bar's center of mass located?
At x =
At x = L
At x =
At x =
How would you expect the rotational dynamics of a spherical object to change if it were hollow instead of solid with uniform density?
As concentration moves outward toward the shell surface, centrifugal effects become more pronounced, affecting directional stability, especially in high revolution per minute scenarios.
Since there is no internal structure within the hollow body resisting deformation during motion, the structural integrity could be compromised over time, leading to failure at critical points of stress concentration areas.
Difference in moments of inertia means a hollow sphere will experience different angular accelerations under the same net torque compared to a solid sphere.
Due to the lack of material inside the sphere, conservation of momentum dictates a lower final speed for any given impulse application despite similar shapes and sizes.

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Which experimental setup would best help explore conservation laws involving center of mass during an elastic collision between two gliders on an air track?
Apply magnetic fields at random points along the track and observe deflections instead of directly measuring velocity changes.
Use varying inclined angles for one glider's approach, keeping track only of post-collision trajectory angles relative to ground level.
Set up sensors to measure velocities before and after collision, ensuring no external forces act upon the gliders except for negligible air resistance.
Change masses randomly while observing changes in post-collision speeds without controlling other relevant variables.
By definition, what does the center of mass of a system represent?
The point at which the total mass of the system can be considered to be concentrated
The location where all forces acting on a system are applied
The point at which gravitational force can be considered to act on an object
The balance point where the net torque about any axis is zero
In an isolated system with three objects placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle, how would adding another object at the centroid affect the center of mass?
It could not be determined without knowing masses
It would shift toward the new object
It would remain unchanged
It would shift away from the new object