Question

1. in the figure shown below, all the contact surfaces are perfectly smooth. \m\ and \m\ indicate mass. when the object of mass \m\ starts sliding down due to the force of gravity, then the centre of mass will

a) remain unchanged
b) change horizontally
c) change vertically
d) change both horizontally and vertically

Explanation:

There is no external horizontal force acting on the system of mass \(M\) and \(m\) (since contact surfaces are smooth). So, the horizontal component of the centre - of - mass of the system remains unchanged. But as mass \(m\) moves downwards due to gravity, the vertical position of the centre - of - mass of the system changes.

Answer:

C. change vertically