Question 1 of 11beginner💡 UnderstandMCQ1 mark

In which of the following examples of motion, can the body be considered approximately a point object:

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 2.1 | (Chapter: 12)
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Explanation

According to the textbook context, an object can be treated as a point object when 'the size of the object is much smaller than the distance it moves in a reasonable duration of time.' For option (A), the railway carriage moves between two stations covering a large distance (several kilometers), which is much larger than the size of the carriage itself. The carriage moves without jerks, indicating smooth translational motion without rotation, making it suitable to be considered a point object. For option (B), the monkey is stationary relative to the man and is not in independent motion—it is being carried. For options (C) and (D), both the spinning cricket ball and tumbling beaker have rotational motion where different parts of the objects move differently, so they cannot be treated as point objects.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify the criterion from context - size of object must be much smaller than the distance it moves.

  2. Step 2: Analyze each option - (A) Railway carriage travels large distance between stations, size negligible compared to distance, smooth translational motion.

  3. Step 3: Eliminate options (C) and (D) - spinning/tumbling means rotational motion, different parts move differently.

  4. Step 4: Eliminate option (B) - monkey is stationary relative to man, not in independent motion.

  5. Step 5: Conclude that only option (A) satisfies the condition for being treated as a point object.

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