Consider a 3.00 kg particle located on the x-axis at x = - 5.00 m, and another 4.00 kg particle, also located on the x-axis at x = 3.00 m.

Question

In this configuration, find the center of mass of this particle system.

Answer 1

Center of Mass = ( M1 (Coordinate of First Mass) + M2 * (Coordinate of Second Mass)) / (Sum of Mass)

So in this case:

Center of Mass = (3kg * (-5) + 4kg * (3) )/ (3kg + 4kg) = ( -15 + 12)/7

= -3/7 m