Question

John’s mass is 95.6 kg, and Barbara’s is 55.3 kg. He is standing on the x axis at xJ = +10.9 m, while she is standing on the x axis at xB = +2.50 m. They switch positions. How far and in which direction does their center of mass move as a result of the switch? Distance moved by center of mass =

Answer 1

Answer:Shifted towards Left by distance of 2.243 m

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

Mass of john
`m_1=95.6 kg`

Mass of barbara
`m_2=55.3 kg`

John is standing at
`x=10.9 m`

Barbara is standing at
`x=2.50 m`

`x_(com)=(m_1x_1+m_2x_2)/(m_1+m_2)`

`x_(com)=(95.6* 10.9+55.3* 2.5)/(95.6+55.3)`

`x_(com)=(1180.29)/(150.9)`

`x_(com)=7.821 m`

Now if they change their Position then

`x'_(com)=(95.6* 2.5+55.3* 10.9)/(95.6+55.3)`

`x'_(com)=(841.77)/(150.9)`

`x'_(com)=5.578`

Thus we can see that center of mass shifted towards left by a distance of
`2.243 m` because heavier is shifted towards left