Announcements

Quiz #5 on Wednesday
Covers Units #6 (Friction), #7 (Work & Kinetic Energy), and #8
(Work & Potential Energy)
If your score on Quiz #5 is higher than Quiz #4, your score on
Quiz #4 will be replaced.
This does not apply if you did not take Quiz #4.
This does not apply in reverse (#4 higher than #5)
If you attend M/W discussion sessions:
Both sections meet together
this week in CRCC room 215
T/TH sections meet as usual

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 1

Announcements, continued
Next week is Fall Break! Have fun!
Exam #2 is on Wednesday, October 21!!! (First Wed. after
break)
Covers Units 6-10 (Friction Center of Mass)
Practice exam will be posted this week
Exam #2 scenarios will be posted this week
Discussion sessions on M/T (10/19 &10/20) will review practice
exam
As before, location for Exam #2 is SFEBB 1110
Homework #10 and #11 due Sunday, October 18

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 2

Lecture 10: Center of Mass

Todays Concept:
Center of mass
Finding it
Using it

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 3

Center of Mass

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 4

Cube Example

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 5

Cube Example: Using Volume Mass Density

= mass density
(mass/volume)

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 6

Cube Example: CM Calculation

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 7

Exercise
Show mathematically that the center of mass of a uniform
stick of length L and mass M is at x = L/2.
dm
x=0

dx

x=L

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 8

Exercise
Show mathematically that the center of mass of a uniform
stick of length L and mass M is at x = L/2.
dm
x=0

x=L

dx

dx M
dm = M
=
dx
L
L

1
1
xcm =
xdm =

M
M
L

1
M
x dx =
L
L

1 1 2
11 2 2
= x =
L 0
L 2 0
L2

xdx

L
=
2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 9

Center of Mass for System of Objects

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 10

ACT: Disk vs. 2 half-disks

The disk shown in Case 1 clearly has its CM at the center.

Suppose the disk is cut in half and the pieces arranged as
shown in Case 2
In which case is the center of mass highest?
A) Case 1

B) Case 2

C) same

x
x
CM
Case 1

Case 2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 11

ACT: Disk vs. 2 half-disks

The disk shown in Case 1 clearly has its CM at the center.

Suppose the disk is cut in half and the pieces arranged as
shown in Case 2
In which case is the center of mass highest?
A) Case 1

x
CM
Case 1

B) Case 2

C) same

xx
x
x
Case 2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 12

Kinematic Quantities

If the net external

force is zero, the
CM wont accelerate

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 13

ACT: System of particles

Three tiny equal-mass magnets are placed on a horizontal frictionless

surface at the corners of an equilateral triangle. When the magnets are
released, they attract and quickly slide to a single point. What are the
coordinates of that point?

A) 0

B) 0

H/2

C) 0

H/3

D) H/4

H/4

E) H/4

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 14

C)

H/3

X CM = 0

(symmetry)

YCM

m1 y1 + m2 y2 + m3 y3
m0 + m0 + m H = H
=
=
3
m1 + m2 + m3
3m

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 15

CheckPoint: System of Two Masses

Two objects, one having twice the mass of the other, are
initially at rest. Two forces, one twice as big as the other, act
on the objects in opposite directions as shown.
2F

2M

Which of the following statements about the acceleration of

the center of mass of the system is true?
A) ACM = F/M to the right
B) ACM = F/(3M) to the right
About 42% answered correctly.
C) ACM = 0
D) ACM = F/(3M) to the left
E) ACM = F/M to the left
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 16

CheckPoint Revote: System of Two

Masses
2F

2M

Which of the following statements about the acceleration of the

center of mass of the system is true:
C) ACM = 0
D) ACM = F/(3M) to the left
E) ACM = F/M to the left

~ CM
A

F~Net,External
=
MTot

C) The actual masses are accelerating away from each other at the same
rate so the center of mass does not change.
D) CM acceleration is defined as the sum of the total forces divided by the
total mass. Total mass is 3m. The forces are not equal, therefore the
greater force will determine the direction of acceleration.
E) The acceleration of the center of mass is equal to the external force
divided by the total mass.
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 17

ACT: System of 2 Masses

Two objects, one having twice the mass of the other,

p are initially at rest. A
force F pushes the mass M to the right. A force 3F pushes the mass
2M upward. What is the acceleration of the center of mass?

~ CM
A

F~Net,External
=
MTot

F
A) 0 B) 23 M

2M

p
(1+ 3)F
3M

C)

3F

D) (

3
2

F
+ 1) M

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 18

CheckPoint: Two Men Pulling

Two guys who weigh the same are holding onto a massless pole
while standing on horizontal frictionless ice. If the guy on the left
starts to pull on the pole, where do they meet?

-3 m
A) -3 m

0m

3m

B) 0 m

C) 3 m

Where is the center of mass of the system initially?

Does the center of mass accelerate?

~ CM
A

F~Net,External
=
MTot
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 19

ACT: 2 guys pulling, II

A large skinny guy with mass 2M and a smaller guy with mass M are
holding onto a massless pole while standing on frictionless ice, as
shown below. If the little guy pulls himself toward the big guy, where
would they meet?

A) -3 m
B) -1 m
C) 0 m
D) 1 m
E) 3 m

2M

-3 m

0m

3m

Where is the center of mass of the system initially?

Does the center of mass accelerate?

~ CM
A

F~Net,External
=
MTot
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 20

ACT: 2 guys pulling, II

A large skinny guy with mass 2M and a smaller guy with mass M are
holding onto a massless pole while standing on frictionless ice, as
shown below. If the little guy pulls himself toward the big guy, where
would they meet?

A) -3 m
B) -1 m
C) 0 m
D) 1 m
E) 3 m

2M

-3 m

X CM

0m

3m

m1 x1 + m2 x2 2M (3m ) + M (3m ) = -1 m
=
=
m1 + m2
3M
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 21

Example problem
A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location?

Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 22

Step 1: Understand the problem

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location?
Is there motion in the vertical direction?
No: Only need to consider motion in horizontal direction
Do we have enough information to calculate the initial position of
the center-of-mass of the man + boat?
Yes: we have mass of man and boat and their relative positions.
What happens to the boat when the man walks back and forth?
The boat will move in response since there is no friction/drag
between the boat and water.
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 23

Step 2: Describe the physics

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location?
Draw a diagram and set up a
coordinate system

Initial configuration

What are the internal parts of

the system?
Man + boat: system
Water + air + etc.: environment
What are the external forces on the system?
Gravity (weight of man + boat)
Buoyant force (support boat + man in water)
Drag of boat thru H20 (problem says to ignore)

No horizontal forces

Friction b/w mans feet and boat? NO: this is an internal force
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 24

Step 2: Describe the physics

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location?
Initial configuration

What is the acceleration of the Boat

while the man walks from the left to
right end of boat?
A. 0
B. To the right
C. To the left
D. We need more information

Friction between mans feet and boat

push boat to the left each step.

~aboat

F~net,boat
=
m2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 25

Step 2: Describe the physics

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location?
Initial configuration

What is the acceleration of the CM

(Boat + Man) while the man walks
from the left to right end of boat?
A. 0
B. To the right
C. To the left
D. We need more information

Boat moves to left. Man moves to

right. CM does not move!

~ CM
A

F~net, external
=
Mtot
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 26

Step 3: Plan the Solution

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location?
Initial configuration

CM of system doesnt move:

Find CM when man is at left end
Write an expression for CM when man
has moved to the right end
Equate these two expressions for CM and solve for distance man has
moved, d
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 27

Step 4: Execute the Solution

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
What is the initial position of the CM of Boat + Man?
A.
B.

XCM

m2 L
=
m1 2

XCM

m2 L
=
m1 + m2

C.

XCM

D.

XCM

m2 L
=
m1
m2 L
=
2(m1 + m2 )

Initial configuration

XCM

m1 0 + m2 L/2
=
m1 + m2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 28

Step 4: Execute the Solution

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, What is the final position of the
CM of Boat + Man?
Final configuration
A.

B.

C.

D.

m2 (L/2)
m1 + m2

m1 (L/2)
m1 + m2

m2 L
m1 + m2

m1 L
m1 + m2

XCM

L/2

m1 d + m2 (d L/2)
=
m1 + m2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 29

Step 4: Execute the Solution

A man with mass m1 stands at the left end of a boat with mass m2 and a
length L. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.
After walking to the right edge of the boat, how far has the man moved from
his original location? What is d?
Final configuration

XCM

m2 L
=
2(m1 + m2 )

=d

(from initial config.)

m2 (L/2)
m1 + m2

(from final config.)

L/2

m2 L
m2 (L/2)
m2 (L/2)
=
=) d =
+
m1 + m2
m1 + m2
m1 + m2
Mechanics Lecture 10, Slide 30