Question

A body of mass M while falling vertically downwards under gravity breaks into two parts, a body B of mass 1/3 M and body C of mass 2/3 M. The centre of mass of bodies B and C taken together shifts compared to that of body A towards ___________

(a) Body C

(b) Body B

(c) Depends on the height of braking

(d) Does not shift

The question was asked during an interview.

I'd like to ask this question from Translational and Rotational Motion topic in chapter System of Particles and Rotational Motion of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Correct choice is (d) Does not shift

The explanation: The centre of mass bodies B and C does not shift compared to body A. It continues to move vertically downwards under the effect of gravity. This is because there is no new external force acting on the system.