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Center of Mass in Particle Systems

This document discusses the analysis of systems of particles and the concept of the center of mass (COM), which simplifies the motion analysis of multiple interacting objects. It explains how to calculate the COM in one and two dimensions, the relationship between COM and center of gravity, and the conservation of momentum in the absence of external forces. Additionally, it provides sample problems and applications related to the motion of the center of mass.

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4 views5 pages

Center of Mass in Particle Systems

This document discusses the analysis of systems of particles and the concept of the center of mass (COM), which simplifies the motion analysis of multiple interacting objects. It explains how to calculate the COM in one and two dimensions, the relationship between COM and center of gravity, and the conservation of momentum in the absence of external forces. Additionally, it provides sample problems and applications related to the motion of the center of mass.

Uploaded by

Secret Girl
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lesson 9: Systems of Particles and Center of

Mass
I. Introduction
So far, we have analyzed motion of single objects. In real applications, objects are often
composed of many particles. To simplify analysis, we study the motion of the center of mass
(COM) of the system.

The center of mass behaves as if all the mass were concentrated at that point and all external
forces act on it.

II. System of Particles


A system of particles is a group of objects interacting with each other.

Examples:

 A moving car (engine, wheels, body)


 A human body in motion
 Planetary systems
 Multiple connected blocks

Internal forces cancel out in motion analysis of the system as a whole.

III. Center of Mass (COM)


Definition

The center of mass is the average position of mass in a system.


One-Dimensional Center of Mass

[
x_{cm} = \frac{\sum m_i x_i}{\sum m_i}
]

Two-Dimensional Center of Mass

[
x_{cm} = \frac{\sum m_i x_i}{\sum m_i}
]
[
y_{cm} = \frac{\sum m_i y_i}{\sum m_i}
]

Continuous Mass Distribution

[
x_{cm} = \frac{1}{M}\int x , dm
]

IV. Motion of the Center of Mass


Newton’s Second Law for a system:

[
\sum F_{ext} = M a_{cm}
]

Where:

 (M) = total mass


 (a_{cm}) = acceleration of the center of mass

👉 Only external forces affect the motion of the COM.


V. Center of Mass vs. Center of Gravity
Concept Description

Center of Depends on mass


Mass distribution

Center of Depends on gravitational


Gravity field

Near Earth’s surface → they coincide.

VI. Conservation of Momentum for Systems


If no external forces act on a system:

[
p_{total} = \text{constant}
]

This means the center of mass moves with:

 Constant velocity, or
 Remains at rest

VII. Sample Problems


Problem 1: One-Dimensional COM

Two masses are on a line:

 (m_1 = 2 , kg) at (x_1 = 1 , m)


 (m_2 = 4 , kg) at (x_2 = 5 , m)

Find the center of mass.

Solution:
[
x_{cm} = \frac{(2)(1) + (4)(5)}{2 + 4}
]
[
x_{cm} = \frac{2 + 20}{6} = 3.67 , m
]

Problem 2: Two-Dimensional COM

Three masses:

 (2 , kg) at (0, 0)
 (4 , kg) at (2, 0)
 (6 , kg) at (2, 4)

Solution:
[
x_{cm} = \frac{(2)(0) + (4)(2) + (6)(2)}{12} = \frac{20}{12} = 1.67
]
[
y_{cm} = \frac{(2)(0) + (4)(0) + (6)(4)}{12} = \frac{24}{12} = 2
]

Problem 3: Motion of COM

A 5 kg and 3 kg object move with velocities 4 m/s and −2 m/s respectively.


Find the velocity of the center of mass.

Solution:
[
v_{cm} = \frac{(5)(4) + (3)(-2)}{5 + 3}
]
[
v_{cm} = \frac{20 - 6}{8} = 1.75 , m/s
]

VIII. Applications
✔ Explosions and recoil
✔ Multi-body collisions
✔ Sports biomechanics
✔ Engineering and robotics
IX. Summary
Concept Key Idea

System of Particles Multiple interacting objects

Weighted average of
Center of Mass
positions

Governed by external forces


COM Motion
only

Momentum Holds when no external


Conservation forces act

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