Question

For an effective center of mass of the system of particles___

• A. only mass is sufficient
• B. only distance from the reference point is sufficient
• C. both masses and their respective distances from the reference point is required
• D. the reference point is not required

Answer 1

The correct option is C

both masses and their respective distances from the reference point is required

For an effective center of mass of the system of particles, particle masses, as well as their respective positions, are necessary, otherwise, it is impossible to locate the exact center of mass of the particle system. Following diagram explains more about the center of mass of two particle system.

Where Xcm represents the required center of mass of the system.