The document discusses the concept of center of mass and how to solve center of mass problems. It defines center of mass as the point where the total mass of a system can be considered to be concentrated. The coordinates of the center of mass can be calculated using the formula provided. Examples are given to demonstrate how to find the position of the center of mass for systems of particles. It is explained that the motion of the center of mass does not change if the total external force on the system remains constant, such as when a rocket explodes into parts while in flight.
The document discusses the concept of center of mass and how to solve center of mass problems. It defines center of mass as the point where the total mass of a system can be considered to be concentrated. The coordinates of the center of mass can be calculated using the formula provided. Examples are given to demonstrate how to find the position of the center of mass for systems of particles. It is explained that the motion of the center of mass does not change if the total external force on the system remains constant, such as when a rocket explodes into parts while in flight.
The document discusses the concept of center of mass and how to solve center of mass problems. It defines center of mass as the point where the total mass of a system can be considered to be concentrated. The coordinates of the center of mass can be calculated using the formula provided. Examples are given to demonstrate how to find the position of the center of mass for systems of particles. It is explained that the motion of the center of mass does not change if the total external force on the system remains constant, such as when a rocket explodes into parts while in flight.
The document discusses the concept of center of mass and how to solve center of mass problems. It defines center of mass as the point where the total mass of a system can be considered to be concentrated. The coordinates of the center of mass can be calculated using the formula provided. Examples are given to demonstrate how to find the position of the center of mass for systems of particles. It is explained that the motion of the center of mass does not change if the total external force on the system remains constant, such as when a rocket explodes into parts while in flight.
physicscatalyst.com What is center of Mass & How to Solve the Center of Mass Problems
1) Center of Mass is a important concept in a system of many particles.
Centre of mass is the point where whole mass of the system can be supposed to be concentrated and motion of the system can be defined in terms of the centre of mass . It is the mass weighted average of its components 2) It can be calculated as
3) The co-ordinates of Center of mass depends on refrence frame.But it
physical location is independent of choice of the frame physicscatalyst.com How to solve Center of mass problems Velocity and acceleration of the center of mass is given by n n mi vi mi a i Vcm = a cm = 1 mi 1 mi
In the absence of external force velocity of centre of mass of the system
remains constant or we can say that centre of mass moves with the constant velocity in absence of external force. ie no acceleration
The motion of the system of particles can be understood easily as
translational motion of the center of mass and rotation of particles around center of mass
physicscatalyst.com Four particles of same mass lies in x-y plane.The (x,y) coordinates of their positions are (2,2) (3,3),(-1,2) and (-1,-1) respectively. Find the position of the center of mass of the system
Solution
1) It is a simple problem ,where we know the coordinates of the four
particle and we need to find CM of the system.It can be simple calculated by the formula given below
physicscatalyst.com Solution continued
Here we are talking about x-y plane,so we can ignore z coordinates
Also Let us assume m be the mass of each particle Now
X=(2m+3m-m-m)/(m+m+m+m)=3/4
Y=(2m+3m+2m-m)/(m+m+m+m)=6/4=3/2
So (x,y) =(3/4,3/2)
physicscatalyst.com A rocket following a parabolic path in air suddenly explodes into two parts What can be told about the center of mass of the system after explosion
a) Vertically downwards b) Horizontally c) It will move along the same parabolic path which the intact shell was moving d) It will move along the tangent to the parabolic path at the point of explosion
Solution We know that center of mass motion depends on the net external force. Since the net external force( Gravity ) remains constant before the explosion and after the explosion,the center of mass will keep on moving in the same direction.
Answer (c)
physicscatalyst.com A rocket following a parabolic path in air suddenly explodes into two parts What can be told about the center of mass of the system after explosion
a) Vertically downwards b) Horizontally c) It will move along the same parabolic path which the intact shell was moving d) It will move along the tangent to the parabolic path at the point of explosion
Solution We know that center of mass motion depends on the net external force. Since the net external force( Gravity ) remains constant before the explosion and after the explosion,the center of mass will keep on moving in the same direction.
Answer (c)
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