Question

John’s mass is 93.3 kg, and Barbara’s is 50.1 kg. He is standing on the x axis at xJ = +9.03 m, while she is standing on the x axis at xB = +3.36 m. They switch positions. How far and in which direction does their center of mass move as a result of the switch? Distance m

Answer 1

Answer:

$\Delta r=-1.71m$  It moves 1.71m to the left.

Explanation:

The intial position of the center of mass is:

$ro = \frac{m_J*r_J+m_B*r_B}{m_J+m_B} =7.05m$

The final position of the center of mass is:

$rf = \frac{m_J*r_B+m_B*r_J}{m_J+m_B} =5.34m$

The displacement between these positions is:

Δr = 5.34m - 7.05m = -1.71m

This means it moves 1.71m to the negative x-axis