A proton and an antiproton are released simultaneously from rest and start to mo

Question

A proton and an antiproton are released simultaneously from rest and start to move towards each other because of the attractive Coulomb force between them. (Note: An antiproton is the antiparticle of the proton, being in all aspects identical to the proton except in the sign of its electrical charge. The charge of the antiproton is -e, while that of the proton is +e.) They are initially separated by a distance d. The two particles eventually collide. When they collide,
A) they are closer to the antiproton's initial position.
B) they are at the midpoint of their initial separation.
C) they are closer to the proton's initial position.
D) Not enough data is given to predict where they collide.

Explanation / Answer

it is an isolated system ;

the centre of mass remains the same ;

initially the centre of mass was at the middle point ;

at any point of time , they will remain at the equal distance from this centre point [ since the system is isolated , no net external force is there , although individual particles exert forces on each other ] ;

when they colloide , their coordinates are the same , so they must collide at the mid point .

right option is ( B )

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