Question

The distance between the centres of carbon and oxygen in the carbon monoxide molecules is 1.13 x 10^-10 m. The distance of the centre of mass of the molecule relative to the oxygen atom is _____

(a) 0.48 x 10^-10 m

(b) 0.64 x 10^-10 m

(c) 0.56 x 10^-10 m

(d) 0.36 x 10^-10 m

The question was posed to me during an online interview.

Asked question is from System of Particles in portion System of Particles and Rotational Motion of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Right option is (a) 0.48 x 10^-10 m

To explain I would say: The location of the centre of mass from an object in a two-object system is inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

The atomic mass of oxygen = 16

The atomic mass of carbon = 12

Total atomic mass = 16 + 12 = 28

The location of centre of mass relative to oxygen atom = (1.13 x 10^-10) x 12 / 28

 = 0.48 x 10^-10 m.