Three uniform-density spheres are positioned as follows:

  • A3kgsphere is centered at <10,20,-5>m.
  • A 5kgsphere is centered at <4,-15,8>m.
  • A 6kgsphere is centered at <-7,10,9>m.

What is the location of the center of mass of this three-sphere system?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The location of the center of mass of this three-sphere system is <0.57,3.21,5.64>m

Step by step solution

01

Identification of given data

  • A 3kg sphere is centered at 10,20,-5m.
  • A 5kgsphere is centered at 4,-15,8m.
  • A 6kgsphere is centered at -7,10,9m.
02

Concept of the location of the center of mass of this three-sphere system

The location of the center of mass of the system is determined by considering the average positions of all the objects acting in the system.

03

Determination of the location of the center of mass of this three-sphere system

The following is the formula for finding the center of mass of this three-sphere system,

MxCM=m1x1+m2x2+m3x3MyCM=m1y1+m2y2+m3y3MzCM=m1z1+m2z2+m3z3

Here,

x1,y1,z1=10,20,-5mx2,y2,z2=4,-15,8mx3,y3,z3=-7,10,9m

role="math" localid="1654258111402" m1=3kg,m2=5kg,m3=6kg

Substitute these values in above expression,

Finding x coordinates,

MxCM=m1x1+m2x2+m3x3

=(3×10)+(5×4)+(6×-7)MxCM=8

xCM=8M=8m1+m2+m3=83+5+6xCM=0.57m

Finding y coordinates,

role="math" localid="1654258294585" MyCM=m1y1+m2y2+m3y3

role="math" localid="1654258230677" =(3×20)+(5×-15)+(6×10)MyCM=45yCM=45M=45m1+m2+m3=453+5+6yCM=3.21m

Finding z coordinates

MzCM=m1z1+m2z2+m3z3

role="math" localid="1654258371726" =(3×-5)+(5×8)+(6×9)MzCM=79zCM=79M=79m1+m2+m3=793+5+6zCM=5.64m

Hence, the location of the center of mass of this three-sphere system is role="math" localid="1654258321012" <0.57,3.21,5.64>m.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free