Question

For a system of three particles moving along a line, an observer in a laboratory measures the following masses and velocities. What is the velocity of the CM of the system? Enter a positive value if the velocity of the CM of the system is in the +x direction and enter a negative value if the velocity of the CM of the system is in the –x direction.

Answer 1

The formula for the velocity of CM of the system is given as

`v_(CM)=(m_1v_(x1)+m_2v_(x2)+m_3v_(x3))/((m_1+m_2+m_3))`

Substitute the known values in the above expression as

`\begin{gathered} v_(CM)=((3.50)(260)+(5.0)(-120)+(2.0)(52))/((3.50+5.0+2.0)) \\ =+39.42\text{ m/s} \end{gathered}`