Question

If the system is released, then the acceleration of the centre of mass of the system is
                            

A. $${\displaystyle \frac{g}{4}}$$
B. $${\displaystyle \frac{g}{2}}$$
C. $$g$$
D. $$2g$$

Answer 1

Hint: In this question we have been asked to calculate the acceleration of centre of mass of the given pulley system. To solve this question, we shall first calculate the acceleration of the two blocks by using the equation of motion from the free body diagram. Later, using this result we shall calculate the acceleration of the centre of mass of the given system. Centre of mass is a point in space at which the whole mass of the system can be assumed to be concentrated.
Formula Used: $$a_c={\displaystyle \frac{m_1{a}_1-m_2{a}_2}{m_1+m_2}}$$
Where,
$$a_c$$ is the acceleration of centre of mass
$$m_1$$ and $$m_2$$ is the mass of the two blocks
$$a_1$$ and $$a_2$$ is the acceleration of blocks

Complete answer:
The FBD for the given pulley mass system will be as shown in the figure, below.
                   

Therefore, from the above figure we can write,
$$T-mg=ma$$ ……………… (1)
Similarly,
$$3mg-T=3ma$$ …………….. (2)
Therefore, from (1) and (2)
We get,
$$2mg=4ma$$
Let us assume,
$$g=10$$ ……………. (A)
Therefore,
$$a=5m/s^2$$
Now we know that, acceleration of centre of mass of system is given by,
$$a_c={\displaystyle \frac{m_1{a}_1-m_2{a}_2}{m_1+m_2}}$$
Where,
$$a_1=a_2=5$$
After substituting the values,
We get,
$$a_c={\displaystyle \frac{5(3m-m)}{m+3m}}$$
Therefore,
$$a_c={\displaystyle \frac{10}{4}}$$
Now from (A) we can say that,
$$a_c={\displaystyle \frac{g}{4}}$$

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
The centre of mass can be calculated by taking the masses and multiplying them by their positions from the selected point of origin and dividing them by the total mass of the system. The centre of mass is a point on which the force is applied; it causes linear acceleration without an angular acceleration. The concept of centre of mass was introduced by Archimedes.