Question

A boy of mass 50 kg is standing at one end of a, boat of length 9 m and mass 400 kg. He runs to the other, end. The distance through which the centre of mass of the boat boy system moves is

• A. 0
• B. 1 m
• C. 2 m
• D. 3 m

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

0

Answer 2

No external force is exerted on the boat, thus the boat experiences no external force.
The main force involved in this process is the frictional force between the boy and the surface of the boat.
So, we can say that the position of the center of mass will remain constant, indicating zero displacement of the center of mass.
Given that there are no external forces acting on the boat-boy system, and the center of mass was initially stationary, it will continue to remain at rest.
Therefore, the displacement of the center of mass equals 0 meter.

So, the correct option is (A): 0