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Chapter 19 of 30
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Centre of Mass

ICSE · Class 11 · Physics

Flashcards for Centre of Mass — ICSE Class 11 Physics. Quick Q&A cards covering key concepts, definitions, and formulas.

44 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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30 Flashcards
Card 1Idea of centre of mass

State the idea of centre of mass.

Answer

The centre of mass is the point whose motion characterises the motion of the whole system. When a system moves under an external force, it moves as if the entire mass were concentrated at this point a

Card 2Two-particle centre of mass

State the defining relation for centre of mass of two particles.

Answer

\left(m_{1}+m_{2}\right) \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{c m}=m_{1} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{1}+m_{2} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{2} Here, m1 and m2 are the masses, r1 and r2 are their position ve

Card 3Two-particle centre of mass

What is the solved form of the centre of mass formula for two particles?

Answer

\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{c m}=\frac{m_{1} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{1}+m_{2} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{2}}{m_{1}+m_{2}} This is a weighted average of the position vectors.

Card 4Two-particle numerical problem

A system has two particles of masses 0.5 kg and 1 kg at points (-1, 2) and (3, 4). Find the centre of mass.

Answer

Given: - m1 = 0.5 kg, r1 = (-1, 2) - m2 = 1 kg, r2 = (3, 4) Use component form: - x_cm = [m1 x1 + m2 x2] / [m1 + m2] - y_cm = [m1 y1 + m2 y2] / [m1 + m2] Step 1: x_cm = [(0.5 kg)(-1) + (1 kg)(3)] /

Card 5Geometric location of COM

Why does the centre of mass of a two-particle system lie between the two particles and on the line joining them?

Answer

The position vector of the centre of mass is a weighted mean of the two position vectors. Since both masses are positive, the weighted average lies on the line joining the two particles and between th

Card 6Equal masses

If two particles have equal masses, what is the position vector of their centre of mass?

Answer

\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{c m}=\frac{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{1}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{2}}{2} Thus, the position vector of the centre of mass of two particles of equal masses is the av

Card 7Centre of mass at origin

What happens if the centre of mass of a two-particle system lies at the origin?

Answer

If r_cm = 0, then m1 r1 + m2 r2 = 0. That is, the sum of the moments of the masses of the system about the centre of mass is zero.

Card 8n-particle centre of mass

State the centre of mass formula for n particles.

Answer

\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{c m} =\frac{1}{M} \sum_{i=1}^{n} m_{i} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}_{i} Here, mi is the mass of the ith particle, ri is its position vector, and M is the total mass.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Centre of Mass for ICSE Class 11 Physics?
Key topics in Centre of Mass include Centre of Mass — Complete Chapter Overview, Centre of Mass - Complete Concept Hierarchy, Centre of Mass – Complete Chapter Mind Map. These are the concepts ICSE Class 11 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Centre of Mass — ICSE Class 11 Physics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 44 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
How many flashcards are available for Centre of Mass?
There are 30 flashcards for Centre of Mass covering key definitions, formulas, and concepts. Use them daily for 10–15 minutes for best results.

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