Question

John’s mass is 95.6 kg, and Barbara’s is 55.3 kg. He is standing on the x axis at xJ = +10.9 m, while she is standing on the x axis at xB = +2.50 m. They switch positions. How far and in which direction does their center of mass move as a result of the switch? Distance moved by center of mass =

Answer 1

Answer:Shifted towards Left by distance of 2.243 m

Explanation:

Given

Mass of john $m_1=95.6 kg$

Mass of barbara $m_2=55.3 kg$

John is standing at $x=10.9 m$

Barbara is standing at $x=2.50 m$

$x_{com}=\frac{m_1x_1+m_2x_2}{m_1+m_2}$

$x_{com}=\frac{95.6\times 10.9+55.3\times 2.5}{95.6+55.3}$

$x_{com}=\frac{1180.29}{150.9}$

$x_{com}=7.821 m$

Now if they change their Position then

$x'_{com}=\frac{95.6\times 2.5+55.3\times 10.9}{95.6+55.3}$

$x'_{com}=\frac{841.77}{150.9}$

$x'_{com}=5.578$

Thus we can see that center of mass shifted towards left by a distance of $2.243 m$ because heavier is shifted towards left