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There are two points P and Q on a planar rigid body. The relative velocity between the two points
  • a)
    should always be perpendicular to PQ
  • b)
    can be oriented along any direction
  • c)
    should always be along PQ
  • d)
    should be along QP when the body undergoes pure translation
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
There are two points P and Q on a planar rigid body. The relative velo...
Given any two points A and B on a rigid body, let line AB be passing through points A and B, then the components of velocity of A and B along the line AB are always equal as the distance between A and B never changes or we can say relative velocity along AB is always zero.
Hence the relative velocity of the points must be perpendicular to the line joining them.
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Most Upvoted Answer
There are two points P and Q on a planar rigid body. The relative velo...
Explanation:

To understand why the relative velocity between two points on a planar rigid body should always be perpendicular to the line connecting the two points (PQ), let's consider the motion of rigid bodies.

Motion of Rigid Bodies:
When a rigid body undergoes motion, all its constituent particles move simultaneously and undergo the same displacement. The motion of a rigid body can be classified into two types:

1. Translation: In pure translation, all points of the rigid body move along parallel paths, and the relative positions between the points remain constant.

2. Rotation: In rotation, all points of the rigid body move in circular paths about a fixed axis, and the relative positions between the points change.

Relative Velocity:
The relative velocity between two points on a rigid body is the velocity of one point with respect to the other. It is a vector quantity and depends on the motion of the rigid body.

Answering the Given Options:
Now, let's analyze the given options one by one:

a) The relative velocity between two points on a rigid body should always be perpendicular to the line connecting the two points (PQ).
This is because, in pure translation, all points on the rigid body move along parallel paths. As a result, the relative velocity between any two points should always be perpendicular to the line connecting them. This can be visualized by considering the motion of a train. The relative velocity between any two points on the train, let's say two windows, is always perpendicular to the line connecting them.

b) The relative velocity between two points on a rigid body cannot be oriented along any direction.
This option is incorrect because the relative velocity is determined by the motion of the rigid body. It cannot be oriented along any arbitrary direction.

c) The relative velocity between two points on a rigid body should always be along PQ.
This option is incorrect because in pure translation, the relative velocity should always be perpendicular to PQ, as explained earlier.

d) The relative velocity between two points on a rigid body should be along QP when the body undergoes pure translation.
This option is incorrect because, in pure translation, the relative velocity should always be perpendicular to PQ, not along QP.

Hence, the correct answer is option 'A' - The relative velocity between two points on a planar rigid body should always be perpendicular to PQ.
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