Question

Let v1, , vk be vectors, and suppose that a point mass of m1, , mk is located at the tip of each vector. The center of mass for this set of point masses is equal to v = m1v1 + + mkvk m where m = m1 + + mk. Determine the center of mass for the vectors u1 = (−1, 0, 2) (mass 3 kg), u2 = (2, 1, −3) (mass 1 kg), u3 = (0, 4, 3) (mass 2 kg), and u4 = (5, 2, 0) (mass 5 kg).

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Center of mass is give as

Xcm = (Σmi•xi) / M

Where i= 1,2,3,4.....

M = m1+m2+m3 +....

x is the position of the mass (x, y)

Now,

Given that,

u1 = (−1, 0, 2) (mass 3 kg),

m1 = 3kg and it position x1 = (-1,0,2)

u2 = (2, 1, −3) (mass 1 kg),

m2 = 1kg and it position x2 = (2,1,-3)

u3 = (0, 4, 3) (mass 2 kg),

m3 = 2kg and it position x3 = (0,4,3)

u4 = (5, 2, 0) (mass 5 kg)

m4 = 5kg and it position x4 = (5,2,0)

Now, applying center of mass formula

Xcm = (Σmi•xi) / M

Xcm = (m1•x1+m2•x2+m3•x3+m4•x4) / (m1+m2+m3+m4)

Xcm = [3(-1, 0, 2) +1(2, 1, -3)+2(0, 4, 3)+ 5(5, 2, 0)]/(3 + 1 + 2 + 5)

Xcm = [(-3, 0, 6)+(2, 1, -3)+(0, 8, 6)+(25, 10, 0)] / 11

Xcm = (-3+2+0+25, 0+1+8+10, 6-3+6+0) / 11

Xcm = (24, 19, 9) / 11

Xcm = (2.2, 1.7, 0.8) m

This is the required center of mass