Question

Find the center of mass of the point masses lying on the x - axis.

Answer 1

Step 1:

Point masses lying on -axis are and .

- axis points are and .

Center of mass is and .

where is total mass of the system.

The moment about - axis.

The moment about - axis.

Here, we need to find center of mass about  -axis, so the -coordinates are zeros.

Moment about -axis .

Step 2:

Total mass of the system is .

Substitute -axis points and point masses in .

Substitute and in center of mass formula.

Center of mass .

Solution:

Center of mass .