PHYSICS LOCUS 12

In the previous example result obtained can be rearranged to obtain

3 0 2k
xcm
2 3 3
0 k
2

In the above expression numerator of the term within square bracket is greater than the denominator. Hence, xcm > .
2

Locate the centre of mass of an uniform semicircular thin wire of radius r

and mass m. Y

Let us choose the reference frame such dm

that the origin is at the centre of the semicircle and

r
x-axis passes through both ends of the wire, as d y
shown in figure 6.12. If an element of the wire,
subtending an angle d , is chosen at an angular X
O x
position with respect to the x-axis, then, mass
of the element,

mass of the wire per unit angle angle substneded

dm
subtended by its length on its centre by the element

m
d

If the chosen element is considered to be a point mass, then position of the element can be given by
x r cos
and y r sin

If xcm and ycm be the coordinates of the centre of mass of the wire, then,

x dm
xcm
dm

m
(r cos ) d
0

m
r
cos d
0

r r
sin sin 0 0 0 0
PHYSICS LOCUS 13

y dm
and ycm
dm

m
r sin d
0 r
sin d
m 0

r r r 1
cos 0
cos cos 0 1 1
2

2r

From figure 6.12 it is obvious that the centre of mass should lie on the y-axis because about this line
distribution of mass is symmetric Hence, xcm 0 could be used without any calculation
• If you perform these integrals for an uniform circular wire (with its centre coinciding with the origin) then you
would get
xcm 0

and ycm 0
In this case too, you could predict the result from the symmetry property of the circle about its center.

Locate the centre of mass of a homogeneous semicircular disc of radius R and mass M.

A semicircular disc can be subdivided into large number of semicircular ring elements, as shown in figure
6.13(a). According to result obtained in the last example, all these elemental rings have their centre of mass on the
Y

R dm
dr
Ce
r

X X
O x

symmetrical axis of the disc (i.e., on the y-axis for chosen reference frame).
Now, if we replace all these elemental rings by points masses at their centre of mass position, then, given disc
reduces to a system of large number of particles distributed on the y-axis, therefore, to locate the centre of mass of
the disc, centre of mass of these particles can be found and used equivalently.
If we choose an elemental semicircular ring of radius r and thickness dr, as shown in figure 6.13 (b), then,
PHYSICS LOCUS 14

M
( r dr )
( R 2 2)

2M
r dr ...(i)
R2
If the centre of mass of the chosen element is at the point Ce, as shown in the same figure, then, coordinates
of Ce can be given as
x = 0; ...(ii)

2r
y ...(iii)

Now, the chosen element can be treated as a point mass at the point Ce. If we consider all elemental rings
shown in figure 6.13 (a) in a similar way, then, the coordinates of the centre of mass of the given semicircular disc,
X and Y, can be obtained by using equation 6.7. Therefore,

x dm
X
dm

0 [using equation (ii)]

y dm
and Y
dm

2r
dm
[using equation (iii)]
dm

R
2 2M
r r dr
0 R2 [using equation (i)]
M

4 R
r 2 dr
R2 0

4 R3
R2 3

4R
3
PHYSICS LOCUS 15

Hence, the centre of mass of the given semicircular disc lies on the symmetrical axis of the disc at a distance
4R
of from its center.
3

• Center of mass of a complete circular disc (uniform) lies at the centre of the disc.
• While choosing elements, you must take care the following :
(a) the centre of mass of the element itself must be known .(If your chosen element is a point mass then
its centre of mass coincides with its position.)
(b) by using simple integration techniques your element must be able to cover the entire body.

A homogeneous circular plate of radius r has a circular hole cut out with radius r/2, as shown in figure 6.14 (a). Find
the centre of mass of the plate.

r
r

Let us choose the reference frame as shown in figure Y

6.14 (b) and consider the following three bodies:

(a) complete disc of radius r and mass m, C C C

X
O
(b) removed disc of radius r/2 and mass mremoved,
(c) remaining disc (with a hole of radius r/2) of radius
r and mass mremaining.

It is obvious from the figure 6.14 (b) that as the distribution of mass in all the three bodies is symmetrical
about the x-axis, their centre of mass lie on it only. If C, C1 and C2 be the centre of mass of the original disc
(before making the hole), removed disc and remaining disc, respectively, then we have,

C1 (r / 2, 0)

C (0, 0)

C2 ( x0 , 0)

where x0 is the x-coordinate of the centre of mass of the remaining disc. Now, we have to solve for x0.
Mass of the removed disc

m 2