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General Physics 1
Quarter 1 – Module 36:
MOTION OF THE CENTER OF
MASS
General Physics 1 – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 36: Motion of the Center of Mass
First Edition, 2020

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 12

General Physics 1
Quarter 1 – Module 36:
Motion of the Center of Mass
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the General Physics 1 – Grade 12 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Motion of the Center of Mass!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the General Physics 1 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Motion of the Center of Mass!

Through our hands we may learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this
learning resource signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to
successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and
time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

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 Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your
level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master center of mass concept. The scope of this module permits it to be used
in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is all about center of mass particularly how to deal with its motion.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. relate the motion of center of mass of a system to the momentum and net
external force acting on the system.

What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer from the given choices by
writing the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What do you call a point wherein all points are concentrated on it?
A. Centroid C. Geometric Center
B. Center D. Center of Mass

2. What can you deduce about the following statement? “The velocity of the center
of mass of a system equals the total momentum of the system divided by its total
mass.”
A. The statement is always true.
B. The statement is always false.
C. The statement is sometimes true.
D. The statement is neither true nor false.

3. What can you say about the following statement? “If the center of gravity of an
object is within the object’s base, then the object will topple.”
A. The statement is always true.
B. The statement is always false.
C. The statement is sometimes true.
D. The statement is neither true nor false.

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4. What can you deduce about the following statement? “The center of mass of any
object is always its geometric center.”
A. The statement is always true.
B. The statement is always false.
C. The statement is sometimes true.
D. The statement is neither true nor false.

5. Where does the center of gravity of an irregular body lie?

A. Located at the edge
B. Located at the center of the body
C. Located along the axis of rotation
D. Located at the point of intersection of lines

6. A canon ball is traveling to the right with velocity (v) when it breaks into two
pieces. One piece of mass (m) falls vertically down from where the cannon ball
exploded. The second piece also has mass (m). Ignoring air resistance, where
does the second piece land?
A. Left of the first piece
B. Right of the first piece
C. Same location as the first piece
D. It is left inside the cannon ball.

7. A stuntman drives a car off the edge of a cliff and jumps mid-air to reach his
safety net. What is the direction of the acceleration of the center of mass of the
stuntman-car system after the jump?
A. Acceleration towards the center of the Earth
B. Acceleration in the same velocity of the system
C. The acceleration cannot be determined without knowing the exact locations
of the car and the stuntman.
D. The acceleration fluctuates because the car and the stuntman follow
different trajectories after the jump.

8. A hockey player skates across a pond with constant velocity (v) and hits a puck
straight ahead toward the goal. Assume that there is no friction. After the puck
is hit, what is the velocity of the center of mass of the hockey player-puck
system?
A. It is equal to the velocity of the hockey puck.
B. It is equal to half the velocity of the hockey player.
C. It is equal to the new velocity of the hockey player.
D. It is equal to the original velocity of the hockey player.

9. If the system is closed, does the velocity of center of mass change?

A. Yes B. No C. Sometimes D. Rarely

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10.What correctly completes the sentence? “For two or more number of particles, the
system moves as if all of the mass is concentrated at ____________. “
A. a double point
B. a single point
C. the outside point
D. the coordinates of a chosen point.

Lesson
Motion of the Center of
36 Mass

In the past chapters, you learned about the center of mass and how to locate
it on a certain object.

In this lesson, you will learn a new but related approach to analyzing
physical phenomena by studying the motion of center of mass. Learning to use
center of mass principles will help you improve your understanding of forces,
equilibrium and balance.

What’s In

Let’s revisit what you have learned from the previous module.

1. The centers of gravity is the point where all the weight of an object is said to be
concentrated and where the force of gravity can be considered to act.
2. The centers of gravity of regularly shaped (or symmetrical) objects are located
at their geometric centers. However, some objects have their centers of gravity
located toward the more massive end or outside the object.
3. An object is more stable if it has a wider base and on its lowest possible
position.

Now, you have to remember these concepts for us to have smooth discussion on
the motion of the center of mass.

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 Notes to the Teacher
This contains helpful tips or strategies that will help you in
guiding the learners.

10
 What’s New

If a house has a center of gravity, first of all there is stability. From stability
there is serenity.- Junzo Yoshimura

Activity 1. Stability Double Puzzle.

Directions: Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered
cells to other cells with the same number. The clues also for the words are given on
the next page.

Clues for the Double Puzzle

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1. It is the weighted average position of the mass.
2. It is a force applied to an extended object that changes the momentum of the
extended object as a whole.
3. It is a force that the simple particles that make up an extended object exert on
each other. It can also be attractive or repulsive.
4. It is expressed as the number of kilograms of material per meter.
5. It is termed as the change in velocity with respect to time.
6. It is the mean rate of change of the displacements.
7. It is the synonym of geometric center.
8. It is a force wherein the direction is always towards the center of the earth.
9. It is something that pulls an object downward.
10.It is a state of an object wherein the net force is zero.

What is It

Center of mass and motion

The velocity of the system’s center of mass does not change, as long as the
system is closed. The system moves as if all the mass is concentrated at a single
point.

Example 1: If we throw a tennis racquet, the racquet rotates around its center of
mass. However, the center of mass itself does not rotate; instead it will
make a parabolic path, as if it was a point particle. The same is true
for exploding fireworks.

Example 2: For an exploding projectile, the center of mass will continue on the
parabolic trajectory. The final location will be at the weighted distance
between the masses.

Equation 1 shows that the motion of the center of mass is only

determined by the external forces. Forces exerted by one part of the system on
other parts of the system are called internal forces. According to Newton's third
law, the sum of all internal forces cancel out (for each interaction there are two
forces acting on two parts: they are equal in magnitude but pointing in an opposite
direction and cancel if we take the vector sum of all internal forces) . When the net
external force acting on the system is zero, the velocity of the center of mass will be
constant.

∑ F i = ∑ Fext = mācm = dP
(1)
i i dt
Wherein; P is the total momentum of the system

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 t is the time
Fext is the external force
dP
is the time rate of change of the momentum of a particle
dt
ΣF is the net force of all external forces that act on the system.
Forces on one part of the system from another part of the
system (internal forces) are not included
M is the total mass of the system. M remains constant, and the
system is said to be closed.
acm is the acceleration of the center of mass of the system.

REFLECT UPON: Where do you think is your body’s center of mass? What
about the center of your life?

What’s More

What you consider to be the center of your life tells where your concentration
is directed at, which defines who you are.

Activity 2. Calculating the motion of the center of mass

Directions: The following are sample problems for you to follow. Then after, solve
for the rest of the questions. Write your answer on a separate sheet and show your
complete solution.

Sample Problem 1: A bus with mass 4,000 kg is moving along a straight stretch of
road with a speed of 70 kph. It is followed by a car with a mass of 2,200 kg moving
at 50 kph. How fast is the center of mass of the two cars moving?

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 m1 v 1+m2 v 2
Vcm=
m1+m2

km km
( 4000 kg)(70 )+(2200 kg)(50 )
= h h = 62.9 km/h
4000 kg+ 2200 kg

Try this.

1: A train with two carts has a mass of 2,400 kg and 1,600 kg respectively moves
with a speed of 60 kph. How fast is the center of mass of the two carts moving?

Sample Problem 2: A 1 kg particle has a velocity of v 1 = (4i – 3j) m/s and a 2 kg

particle has a velocity of ( 2i + 6j) m/s. Find: a) the velocity of the center of mass
and b) the total momentum of the system.

4m 2m
m1 v 1+m2 v 2 (1 kg)( )+(2 kg)( )
On the x-axis: Vcmx=
m1+m2
= s s = 2.67 m/s
1 kg+2 kg

−3 m 6m
m1 v 1+m2 v 2 (1 kg)( )+(2 kg)( )
On the y-axis: Vcmx=
m1+m2
= s s = 3 m/s
1kg +2 kg

Therefore, the velocity of the center of mass of the two particle system is

V= (2.67 i + 3 j) m/s

Momentum is given by P = mvcm = (1 kg + 2 kg) (2.67 i + 3 j) m/s

P = (8.01 i + 9 j ) kg.m/s

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Try this.

2: A 2 kg particle has a velocity of v1 = (2 i – 3j)m/s and a 3 kg particle has a

velocity of (i + 6 j) m/s. Calculate the velocity of the center of mass and its
corresponding momentum.

What I Have Learned

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write your answers on a separate

sheet.
1. What are the factors that affect the motion of the center of mass?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. How can you compute for the velocity and momentum of system of particles
with the consideration of its center of mass?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Make a poster-slogan regarding safety precautions in dealing with fireworks. You

have the provision of making it on a digital format or constructing it using long
bond paper. You are free to use any coloring media that you want.

15
 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following statements is true?

A. In calculating for the velocity of the system of particles, you have to consider
the mass of the leading particle or object.
B. In calculating for the velocity of the system of particles, you have to consider
the mass of the last particle or object.
C. In calculating for the velocity of the system of particles, you have to consider
the geometric center of the particle or object.
D. In calculating for the velocity of the system of particles, you have to consider
the center of mass of the particle or object.

2. “When determining whether a rigid body is in equilibrium, the vector sum of

gravitational forces acting on the individual particles of the body can be replaced
by a single force acting at the center of gravity.” What can you deduce about the
statement?
A. The statement is always true.
B. The statement is always false.
C. The statement is sometimes true.
D. The statement is neither true nor false.

3. What can you say about the following statement? “ When calculating for
the momentum of a system of particles, it is important to always consider
its geometric center.”
A. The statement is always true.
B. The statement is always false.
C. The statement is sometimes true.
D. The statement is neither true nor false.

4. What we can conclude about the linear motion of the center of mass?
A. The sum of the external forces may be regarded as acting at the center of
mass.
B. The sum of the internal forces may be regarded as acting at the center of
mass.
C. The sum of the net forces may be regarded as acting at the center of mass.
D. The sum of the universal forces may be regarded as acting at the center of
mass.

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5. What can you say about the following statement? “the acceleration of the
center of mass is independent of where the force is applied.”
A. The statement is always true.
B. The statement is always false.
C. The statement is sometimes true.
D. The statement is neither true nor false.

6. What word correctly completes the following sentence? “Racing cars that have
their center of mass __________to the ground are less likely to flip over (a special
concern for racing cars that go around turns at very high speeds).”
A. Heavier B. Closer C. Higher D. Wider

7. A coconut at rest suddenly explodes into two pieces. No net external force is
applied to it. One piece with mass 2m lands a distance d to the right of the
starting point. The second piece has mass m. We can ignore air resistance.
Where does the second piece land?
A. Left of the starting point
B. Right of the starting point
C. Same location as the first piece
D. Same location as the starting point

8. What can you infer with the following statement? “If a system experiences no
external force, the center-of-mass of the system will remain at rest, or will move
at constant velocity if it is already moving”

A. The statement is always true.

B. The statement is always false.

C. The statement is sometimes true.

D. The statement is neither true nor false.

9. How does the center of mass of an object or system move?

A. If we push on a rigid object at its center of mass, then the object will always
move as if it is a point mass. It will not rotate about any axis, regardless of
its actual shape.
B. If we push on a rigid object at its center of mass, then the object will always
move as if it is a point mass. It will rotate about any axis, regardless of its
actual shape.
C. If we push on a rigid object at its center of mass, then the object will always
move as if it is a dual mass. It will not rotate about any axis, regardless of its
actual shape.
D. If we push on a rigid object at its center of mass, then the object will always
move as if it is a dual mass. It will rotate about any axis, regardless of its
actual shape

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10.A stuntman drives a car off the edge of a cliff and jumps mid-air to reach his
safety net. What is the behavior of the velocity of the center of mass of the
stuntman-car system after the jump?
A. The velocity decreases as he jumps
B. The velocity increases as he jumps
C. The velocity remains the same as he jumps
D. The velocity can either decrease or increase depending on the direction.

Additional Activities

NASA has developed a prototype of the EmDrive, a spacecraft propulsion

system that seems to defy the law of momentum. Learn more about this interesting
technology by visiting the following link:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/11/nasa-impossible-emdrive-
physics-peer-review-space-science/ (last accessed on 19 July 2020)

Here is a copy of a part of the article for you to read.

NASA Team Claims ‘Impossible’ Space Engine Works—Get the Facts
Scientists just published a paper saying that the controversial EmDrive produces
thrust, even though that defies known laws of physics.
BY NADIA DRAKE AND MICHAEL GRESHKO

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 21, 2016

After years of speculation, a maverick research team at NASA’s Johnson Space
Center has reached a milestone that many experts thought was impossible. This
week, the team formally published their experimental evidence for an
electromagnetic propulsion system that could power a spacecraft through the void
—without using any kind of propellant.
According to the team, the electromagnetic drive, or EmDrive, converts
electricity into thrust simply by bouncing around microwaves in a closed cavity. In
theory, such a lightweight engine could one day send a spacecraft to Mars in just
70 days. (Find out why Elon Musk thinks a million people could live on Mars by
the 2060s.)
The long-standing catch is that the EmDrive seemingly defies the laws of
classical physics, so even if it’s doing what the team claims, scientists still aren’t
sure how the thing actually works. Previous reports about the engine have been
met with heaping doses of skepticism, with many physicists relegating the
EmDrive to the world of pseudoscience.
Now, though, the latest study has passed a level of scrutiny by independent
scientists that suggests the EmDrive really does work. Is this the beginning of a
revolution in space travel—or just another false start for the “impossible”
spaceship engine?

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 Answer Key

What I know (Pre test)

1. D 4. B 7. A 10. B
2. A 5. D 8. D
3. B 6. B 9. B

Activity 1.

1. Center of Mass 6. Average Velocity

2. External Force 7. Centroid
3. Internal Force 8. Weight
4. Linear Mass Density 9. Gravity
5. Acceleration 10.Stable

Activity 2.

1. 60 kph
2. Vcm= (1.4 i + 2.4 j) m/s, P = (7 i + 12 j) kg.m/s

Assessment

1. D 4. A 7. A 10. B
2. A 5. B 8. A
3. C 6. B 9. A

References

2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-physics-

1/ap-linear-momentum/center-of-mass-ap/a/center-of-mass-ap1> [Accessed
18 July 2020].
Alrasheed, S., n.d. Principles Of Mechanics.
Arevalo, Ryan L. Diwa Senior High School Series . Makati City, Philippines: Diwa
Learning Systems Inc, 2017
A-Z Quotes. 2020. TOP 25 CENTER OF GRAVITY QUOTES | A-Z Quotes. [online]
Available at: <https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/center-of-
gravity.html> [Accessed 13 July 2020].
BYJUS. 2020. Center Of Mass - Formula, Motion Of Center Of Mass, System Of
Particles. [online] Available at: <https://byjus.com/jee/center-of-mass/>
[Accessed 12 July 2020].

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Courses.lumenlearning.com. 2020. 9.6 Center Of Mass | University Physics Volume
1. [online] Available at: <https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-
osuniversityphysics/chapter/9-6-center-of-mass/> [Accessed 18 July 2020].
Docplayer.net. 2020. Worked Examples From Introductory Physics Vol. I: Basic
Mechanics. David Murdock Tenn. Tech. Univ. - PDF Free Download. [online]
Available at: <https://docplayer.net/14931047-Worked-examples-from-
introductory-physics-vol-i-basic-mechanics-david-murdock-tenn-tech-
univ.html> [Accessed 7 July 2020].
Esguerra, J., et.al, General Physics 1 Learner’s Material, Department of Education,
2018
Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics. Boston: Pearson, 2015.
Khan Academy. 2020. Predicting Motion Using The Center Of Mass (Practice) | Khan
Academy. [online] Available at: <https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-
physics-1/ap-linear-momentum/center-of-mass-ap/e/center-of-mass-
exercises-ap1> [Accessed 18 July 2020].
Lehman.edu. 2020. [online] Available at:
<https://www.lehman.edu/faculty/anchordoqui/chapter10.pdf> [Accessed 18
July 2020].
Nationalgeographic.com. 2020. NASA Team Claims ‘Impossible’ Space Engine Works
—Get The Facts. [online] Available at:
<https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/11/nasa-impossible-
emdrive-physics-peer-review-space-science/> [Accessed 18 July 2020].
Ocw.mit.edu. 2020. [online] Available at:
<https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01sc-classical-mechanics-fall-
2016/readings/MIT8_01F16_chapter10.pdf> [Accessed 18 July 2020].
Padua, Alicia L, and Ricardo M Crisostomo. Practical and Explorational Physics
Modular Approach. Edited by Lilia M Rabago. Vibal Publishing House, Inc.,
2003
Phys.nthu.edu.tw. 2020. [online] Available at:
<http://www.phys.nthu.edu.tw/~thschang/notes/GP10.pdf> [Accessed 18
July 2020].
Physics.smu.edu. 2020. [online] Available at:
<http://www.physics.smu.edu/rguarino/1303fall2011/Lectures/Chapter
%2009.pdf> [Accessed 18 July 2020].
Phlconnect.ched.gov.ph. 2020. PHL CHED Connect - We Educate As One. [online]
Available at: <https://phlconnect.ched.gov.ph/search/categorypage?
short_title=naturalscience&per_page=100> [Accessed 8 July 2020].
Quotemaster.org. 2020. Quotes About Center Of Gravity (35 Quotes). [online]
Available at: <https://www.quotemaster.org/Center+Of+Gravity> [Accessed 13
July 2020].

Scribd. 2020. Schaum's Outline Of Physics For Engineering And Science | Physics |
Science. [online] Available at:

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 <https://www.scribd.com/doc/121605007/Schaum-s-Outline-of-Physics-for-
Engineering-and-Science> [Accessed 7 July 2020].

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Searches, Mazes, and Other Puzzles for Your Classroom Today!” Welcome to
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