CHAPTER 8

Systems of Particles and Conservation of Momentum

1* · Give an example of a three-dimensional object that has no mass at its center of mass.
A hollow sphere.
2 · Three point masses of 2 kg each are located on the x axis at the origin, x = 0.20 m, and x = 0.50 m. Find the center
of mass of the system.
Use Equ. 8-4; note that ycm = 0 xcm = [(2 × 0 + 2 × 0.2 + 2 × 0.5)/6] m = 0.233 m

3 · A 24-kg child is 20 m from an 86-kg adult. Where is the center of mass of this system?
Take the origin at the position of the child.
Use Equ. 8-4 xcm = (86 × 20/110) m = 15.6 m

4 · Three objects of 2 kg each are located in the xy plane at points (10 cm, 0), (0, 10 cm), and (10 cm, 10 cm). Find
the location of the center of mass.
Use Equ. 8-4 xcm = [(10 × 2 + 10 × 2)/6] cm = 6.67 cm;
ycm = [(10 × 2 + 10 × 2)/6] cm = 6.67 cm

5* · Find the center of mass xcm of the three masses in Figure 8-46.
Use Equ. 8-4 xcm = [(1 × 1 + 2 × 2 + 8 × 4)/11] m = 3.36 m

6 · Alley Oop’s club-ax consists of a symmetrical 8-kg stone attached to the end of a uniform 2.5-kg stick that is 98
cm long. The dimensions of the club-ax are shown in Figure 8-47. How far is the center of mass from the handle end
of the club-ax?
1. Locate CM of stic k and of stone By symmetry, xcm(stick) = 0.49 m; xcm(stone) = 0.89 m
2. Use Equ. 8-4 xcm = [(2.5 × 0.49 + 8 × 0.89)/10.5] m = 0.795 m

7 · Three balls A, B, and C, with masses of 3 kg, 1 kg, and 1 kg, respectively, are connected by massless rods. The
balls are located as in Figure 8-48. What are the coordinates of the center of mass?
Use Equ. 8-4 xcm = [(3 × 2 + 1 × 1 + 1 × 3)/5] m = 2 m