Question

Consider the following mass distribution where the x- and y-coordinates are given in meters: 5.0 kg at (0.0, 0.0) m, 2.9 kg at (0.0, 3.2) m, and 4.0 kg at (2.5, 0.0) m. Where should a fourth object of 8.3 kg be placed so that the center of gravity of the four-object arrangement will be at (0.0, 0.0) m

Answer 1

Answer:

x = -1.20 m

y = -1.12 m

Explanation:

as we know that four masses and their position is given as

5.0 kg (0, 0)

2.9 kg (0, 3.2)

4 kg (2.5, 0)

8.3 kg (x, y)

As we know that the formula of center of gravity is given as

$x_{cm} = \frac{m_1 x_1 + m_2x_2 + m_3x_3 + m_4x_4}{m_1 + m_2 + m_3 + m_4}$

$0 = \frac{5(0) + 2.9(0) + 4(2.5) + 8.3 x}{5 + 2.9 + 4 + 8.3}$

$10 + 8.3 x = 0$

$x = -1.20 m$

Similarly for y direction we have

$y_{cm} = \frac{m_1 y_1 + m_2y_2 + m_3y_3 + m_4y_4}{m_1 + m_2 + m_3 + m_4}$

$0 = \frac{5(0) + 2.9(3.2) + 4(0) + 8.3 y}{5 + 2.9 + 4 + 8.3}$

$9.28 + 8.3 x = 0$

$x = -1.12 m$