
Three rods of same mass are placed as shown in figure. The co-ordinates of centre of mass of the system are

- $\left(\frac{a}{3}, \frac{a}{3}\right)$
- $\left(a, \frac{a}{2}\right)$
- $\left(2 a, \frac{a}{2}\right)$
- $\left(\frac{2 a}{3}, \frac{a}{3}\right)$
Solution
The center of mass coordinates for the system of three uniform rods, each of mass $M$, are determined by locating each rod's center and applying the weighted average formula.
The vertical rod from $(0,0)$ to $(0,a)$ has center at $\left(0, \frac{a}{2}\right)$.
The horizontal rod from $(0,0)$ to $(2a,0)$ has center at $(a, 0)$.
The hypotenuse rod from $(0,a)$ to $(2a,0)$ has center at $\left(a, \frac{a}{2}\right)$.
With total mass $3M$, the system's center of mass coordinates are:
$X_{CM} = \frac{M(0) + M(a) + M(a)}{3M} = \frac{2a}{3}$
$Y_{CM} = \frac{M\left(\frac{a}{2}\right) + M(0) + M\left(\frac{a}{2}\right)}{3M} = \frac{a}{3}$
The result $\left(\frac{2a}{3}, \frac{a}{3}\right)$ corresponds to option D.
Final answer: $\boxed{\text{D}}$
Asked in: MHT CET 2025 (05 May Shift 2)