Two bodies of masses m1 and M2 are seperated by certain distance if F¹² is the force on m1 due to m2 and F²¹ is the force on m2 due to m1 then
Answers
Answer:
Two bodies with masses M
1
and M
2
are initially at the rest and a distance R apart. Then they move directly towards one another under the influence of their mutual gravitational attraction. What is the ratio of the distances traveled by M
1
to the distance traveled by M
2
?
M2
M1
ANSWER
The forces of attraction between the particles are the internal forces. Therefore, the center of mass of the system will have no acceleration. The particles move, but the center of mass will continue to be at the same place. At the time of collision, the two particles are at one place and the center of mass will also be at that place. As the center of mass does not move, the collision will take place at the center of mass.
Distance of center of mass from M
1
=
M
1
+M
2
M
1
(0)+M
2
(R)
=
M
1
+M
2
M
2
R
Distance of center of mass form M
2
=R−
M
1
+M
2
M
2
R
=
M
1
+M
2
M
1
R
Ratio of the distances=
M
1
M
2