Question

An object is placed at the position X1= 57 cm in a second mass that is 4 times as large is placed at X2= 188 cm. Find the location of the center of mass of the system.

Answer 1

161.8 cm

Step-by-step explanation

the center of mass can be calculated by taking the masses you are trying to find the center of mass between and multiplying them by their positions. Then, you add these together and divide that by the sum of all the individual masses.

`x_(cm)=(m_1x_1+m_2x_2)/(m_1+m_2)`

Step 1

given

`\begin{gathered} x_1=57\text{ cm} \\ m_1=m \\ x_2=188cm \\ m_2=4m_1 \end{gathered}`

b) now,replace in the formula

`\begin{gathered} x_(cm)=(m_(1)x_(1)+m_(2)x_(2))/(m_(1)+m_(2)) \\ x_(cm)=(57*m+188*4m)/(5m) \\ x_(cm)=(57m+752m)/(5m) \\ x_(cm)=161.8 \end{gathered}`

therefore, the answer is 161.8 cm

I hope this helps you