Question

3 - identical pucks on a horizontal air table having repelling magnets are held together and then released simultaneously. Each has the same speed at any instant one puck moves west. What is the direction of other two :

• A. 30${}^o$ East of North, 30${}^o$ East of south
• B. 60${}^o$ East of N and 60${}^o$ East of south
• C. 45${}^o$ East of N, 45${}^o$ East of south
• D. none of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A 30${}^o$ East of North, 30${}^o$ East of south

Due to the symmetric nature of the problem, the 3 pucks will repel each other equally and thus will separate equally apart. Thus, there should be a gap of ${120}^{\circ }$ between each puck. Since 1 is towards West, the other 2 should be as per option A.