The centre of mass (COM) is a point where the total mass of the system can be assumed to be concentrated. If no external force acts on the system then the centre of mass moving with constant velocity will continue to move with the same velocity even if different parts of the system begin to move with different velocities. Let us consider a particular case in which a man of mass 80 kg is riding on a trolley of mass 40 kg which is rolling on a level surface at a speed of 2 m/s. He jumps off the trolley in the direction opposite to the motion of the trolley with the speed of 1 m/s relative to the ground. Answer the following questions:
(i) Velocity of COM just after the man jumps is–
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsCHECK THE SOLUTION.
(i) : Earlier the man and trolley were moving with 2 m/s
Hence v cm = 2 m/s
(ii) : Since external forces on the system are zero. Velocity of centre of mass should remain constant.
v COM = 
or 2 = 
Solving this equation, we get, v = 8 m/s
(iii) : Velocity of COM will remain unchanged.
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