Question

Problem 1: Three beads are placed along a thin rod. The first bead, of mass m1 = 24 g, is placed a distance d1 = 1.1 cm from the left end of the rod. The second bead, of mass m2 = 12 g, is placed a distance d2 = 1.9 cm to the right of the first bead. The third bead, of mass m3 = 56 g, is placed a distance d3 = 3.9 cm to the right of the second bead. Assume an x-axis that points to the right.

25% Part (b) Find the center of mass, in centimeters, relative to the left end of the rod.

25% Part (c) Write a symbolic equation for the location of the center of mass of the three beads relative to the center bead, in terms of the variables given in the problem statement.

25% Part (d) Find the center of mass, in centimeters, relative to the middle bead

Answer 1

b)
`x_(cm)` = 4.88 cm , c)
`x_(cm)`’= 1/M (m₁ d₁ + m₃ d₃) and d)

`x_(cm)`’= 1.88 cm

Step-by-step explanation:

The definition of mass center is

`x_(cm)` = 1/M ∑ xi mi

Where mi, xi are the mass and distance from an origin for each mass and M is the total mass of the object.

Part b

Apply this equation to our case.

Body 1

They give us the mass (m₁ = 24 g) and the distance (d₁ = 1.1 cm) from the origin at the far left

Body 2

They give us the mass (m₂ = 12.g) and the distance relative to the distance of the body 1, let's look for the distance from the left end (origin)

D₂ = d₁ + d₂

D₂ = 1.1 + 1.9

D₂ = 3.0 cm

Body 3

Give the mass (m₃ = 56 g) and the position relative to body 2, let's find the distance relative to the origin

D₃ = D₂ + d₂

D₃ = 3.0 + 3.9

D₃ = 6.9 cm

With this data we substitute and calculate the center of mass

M = m₁ + m₂ + m₃

M = 24 + 12 + 56

M = 92 g

`x_(cm)` = 1/92 (1.1 24 + 3.0 12 + 6.9 56)

`x_(cm)` = 1/92 (448.8)

`x_(cm)` = 4,878 cm

`x_(cm)` = 4.88 cm

This distance is from the left end of the bar

Par c)

In this case we are asked for the same calculation, but the reference system is in the center marble, we have to rewrite the distance with the reference system in this marble.

Body 1

It is at d1 = -1.9 cm

It is negative for being on the left and the value is the relative distance of 1 to 2

Body 2

d2 = 0 cm

The reference system for her

Body 3

d3 = 3.9 cm

Positive because that is to the left of the reference system and is the relative distance between 2 and 3

Let's write the new center of mass (xcm')

`x_(cm)` ’= 1/M (m₁ d₁ + m₂ d₂ + m₃ d₃)

`x_(cm)`’= 1/M (m₁ d₁ + m₃ d₃)

Part d) Let's calculate the value of the center of mass

`x_(cm)`’= 1/92 ((24 (-1.9) +56 3.9)

`x_(cm)`’= 1/92 (172.8)

`x_(cm)`’= 1.88 cm

This distance is to the right of the central marble