Question

A 10.2-kg mass is located at the origin, and a 4.6-kg mass is located at x = 8.1 cm. Assuming g is constant, what is the location of the center of mass xcom and the location of the center of gravity xcogof the two masses? Are the locations the same? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

center of mass of the two masses will lie at x = 2.52 cm

center of gravity of the two masses will lie at x = 2.52 cm

So center of mass is same as center of gravity because value of gravity is constant here

Explanation:

Position of centre of mass is given as

$r_{cm} = \frac{m_1r_1 + m_2r_2}{m_1 + m_2}$

here we have

$m_1 = 10.2 kg$

$m_2 = 4.6 kg$

$r_1 = (0, 0)$

$r_2 = (8.1cm, 0)$

now we have

$r_{cm} = \frac{10.2 (0,0) + 4.6 (8.1 , 0)}{10.2 + 4.6}$

$r_{cm} = {(37.26, 0)}{14.8}$

$r_{cm} = (2.52 cm, 0)$

so center of mass of the two masses will lie at x = 2.52 cm

now for center of gravity we can use

$r_g_{cm} = \frac{m_1gr_1 + m_2gr_2}{m_1g + m_2g}$

here we have

$m_1 = 10.2 kg$

$m_2 = 4.6 kg$

$r_1 = (0, 0)$

$r_2 = (8.1cm, 0)$

now we have

$r_g_{cm} = \frac{10.2(9.8) (0,0) + 4.6(9.8) (8.1 , 0)}{10.2(9.8) + 4.6(9.8)}$

$r_g_{cm} = {(37.26, 0)}{14.8}$

$r_g_{cm} = (2.52 cm, 0)$

So center of mass is same as center of gravity because value of gravity is constant here