Question

Four masses are attached to a light stick at different positions. 3 kg is attached at 17 cm, 1.2 kg is attached at 39 cm, 2.4 kg is attached at 61 cm, and 1.3 kg is attached at 89 cm (all distances from the left end). Where will be the center of mass (from the left end, in cm)?

Answer 1

Answer on Question #74511, Physics / Mechanics — Relativity

Question Four masses are attached to a light stick at different positions. 3 kg is attached at 17 cm, 1.2 kg is attached at 39 cm, 2.4 kg is attached at 61 cm, and 1.3 kg is attached at 89 cm (all distances from the left end). Where will be the center of mass (from the left end, in cm)?

Solution By definition, center mass is at:

$$X _ {c} = \frac {x _ {1} m _ {1} + x _ {2} m _ {2} + x _ {3} m _ {3} + x _ {4} m _ {4}}{m _ {1} + m _ {2} + m _ {3} + m _ {4}} = \frac {1 7 \cdot 3 + 3 9 \cdot 1 . 2 + 6 1 \cdot 2 . 4 + 8 9 \cdot 1 . 3}{3 + 1 . 2 + 2 . 4 + 1 . 3} \approx 4 5. 5 6 c m$$