Center of Mass and Momentum Quiz

What is the definition of center of mass?

• The point where the mass is evenly distributed

• Point where the weighted relative position of the distributed mass sums to zero.

• The point where the mass is heaviest

• The point where the mass is lightest

How do you calculate the velocity of the center of mass?

• Total momentum * Total mass

• Total mass / Total momentum

• Total momentum / Total mass

• Total momentum - Total mass

What does conservation of momentum in the x-direction state?

• Total momentum in the x-direction before = Total momentum in the x-direction after

• Total momentum in the y-direction before = Total momentum in the x-direction after

• Total momentum in the x-direction before = Total momentum in the z-direction after

• Total momentum in the x-direction before = Total momentum in the y-direction after

Explain conservation of momentum in the y-direction.

• Momentum conservation applies to energy in the y-direction

• Initial momentum equals final momentum in the x-direction

• Total initial momentum in the y-direction = Total final momentum in the y-direction

• Momentum is conserved only in the z-direction

In a system of particles, how is the center of mass calculated?

• Product of position vectors of all particles

• Weighted average of position vectors of all particles

• Average of velocities of all particles

• Sum of position vectors of all particles

If an external force acts on a system, what happens to the center of mass?

• The center of mass will remain stationary.

• The center of mass will move perpendicular to the direction of the external force.

• The center of mass will accelerate in the direction of the external force.

• The center of mass will decelerate in the direction of the external force.

What is the relationship between the total momentum of a system before and after a collision?

• Total momentum is multiplied

• Total momentum is reversed

• Total momentum is halved

• Total momentum is conserved

How does the velocity of the center of mass change in an isolated system?

• Random

• Decreasing

• Increasing

• Constant

What is the significance of the center of mass in analyzing motion?

• The center of mass has no significance in analyzing motion

• The center of mass simplifies the analysis of motion by allowing us to treat the object as a point mass located at that point.

• The center of mass only applies to stationary objects

• The center of mass is always located at the geometric center of an object

How does the motion of individual particles relate to the motion of the center of mass?

• The motion of individual particles has no impact on the motion of the center of mass.

• The motion of individual particles is independent of the motion of the center of mass.

• The motion of individual particles affects the motion of the center of mass.

• The motion of individual particles moves in the opposite direction of the center of mass.