Center mass of uniform sheet of steel

In summary, the conversation discusses how to compute the x and y coordinates of the center of mass of a uniform piece of sheet steel. The suggested method is to sum the center mass of each square's x coordinate and divide by the number of squares, and then do the same for the y coordinate. The resulting answer is (11.66, 13.33).
  • #1
vinnyzwrx
15
0

Homework Statement


A uniform piece of sheet steel is shaped as pictured. compute the x and y coordinates of the center of mass of the piece

[URL]https://tdsal.homeserver.com/photos/photos%20hosted%20on%20internet/q6%20.jpg[/URL]

Homework Equations



cm = sum of all of the masses multiplied by their location / the sum of the masses

The Attempt at a Solution



since the sheet is said to be uniform then mass is left out. so i sum the center mass of each squares x coordinate and divide by 6, and i did the same for the y.

(5,25) (15,25)
(5,15)
(5, 5) (15,5) (25, 5)

respectively as pictured.

i get

(11.66, 13.33) as the center mass of the object.

is this thought process and answer correct?
 
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  • #2
hi vinnyzwrx! :smile:

yes that's fine :biggrin:

(though quicker would have been to subtract the right-hand pair of squares from the outer 8 squares :wink:)
 

Related to Center mass of uniform sheet of steel

What is center mass?

Center mass, also known as center of mass, is the point at which an object's mass is evenly distributed in all directions. It is the balance point of an object, where the weight of the object can be considered to act.

How is center mass calculated?

Center mass of a uniform sheet of steel can be calculated by finding the average of the x and y coordinates of all the individual mass elements that make up the sheet. This can be done using the formula x̄ = ∑mx/∑m and ȳ = ∑my/∑m, where m is the mass of each element and x and y are the coordinates of the element.

Why is center mass important in physics?

Center mass is important in physics because it helps in understanding how an object will behave when subjected to external forces. It is a crucial concept in mechanics, and is used to calculate the motion of objects and predict their behavior.

How does the shape of an object affect its center mass?

The shape of an object does not affect its center mass, as long as the object is uniform in density and thickness. This means that the center mass of a square sheet of steel will be the same as that of a circular sheet of steel with the same dimensions.

What are some real-life applications of center mass?

Center mass is used in various fields such as engineering, robotics, and sports. In engineering, it is used to design structures and calculate the stability of buildings. In robotics, it is used to determine the balance and stability of robots. In sports, it is important for athletes to maintain their center mass for better balance and performance.

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