Physics (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118486897
ISBN 13: 978-1-11848-689-4

Chapter 7 - Impulse and Momentum - Problems - Page 194: 50

Answer

Their center of mass moves $1.54m$ in the direction of the $-x$ axis.

Work Step by Step

1) At the original positions: We have $m_J=86kg$, $m_B=55kg$, $x_J=+9m$, $x_B=+2m$ $$x_{cm, 0}=\frac{m_Jx_J+m_Bx_B}{m_J+m_B}=+6.27m$$ 2) After switching: We have $m_J=86kg$, $m_B=55kg$, $x_J=+2m$, $x_B=+9m$ $$x_{cm, f}=\frac{m_Jx_J+m_Bx_B}{m_J+m_B}=+4.73m$$ Their center of mass moves $6.27-4.73=1.54m$ in the direction of the $-x$ axis.
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