Question
Physics Question on System of Particles & Rotational Motion
A ladder is leaned against a smooth wall and it is allowed to slip on a frictionless floor. Which figure represents trace of its centre of mass.
A
B
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D
Answer
Explanation
Solution
Every physical system has associated with it a certain point whose motion characterises the motion of the whole system. When the system moves under an external force then this point moves in the same way as a single particle would move under the same external force. This point is called center of mass. In the given case the acceleration acts in the downward direction, in the center.