Copyright © Michael Richmond.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Question 1:
Billy (mass m = 30 kg) goes to the zoo. He stands 10 m away from an elephant (mass M = 1800 kg). How far is the center of mass of the (Billy + elephant) system away from Billy?
Answer: Use a coordinate system with origin at Billy.
m*x1 + M*x2
X (center of mass) = ----------------
(m + M)
(30 kg)*(0 m) + (1800 kg)*(10 m)
= ---------------------------------
(30 kg + 1800 kg)
= 9.84 m away from Billy
Copyright © Michael Richmond.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.