AP Mechanics

CM Problems
Hint: for each problem, consider what origin you are choosing, and then measure all positions relative to that
origin. The choice of origin is arbitrary but choose carefully. Make sure to specify coordinates relative to what in
your answer. This is good practice - the analyzer picks the coordinate system.

Set 1:
1. The centers of two small balls of masses 30.0 kg and 5.0 kg are 1.40 m apart. Determine the location of
the center of mass of the system, measured from the center of the more massive ball.
2. Three particles sit on the x- axis. Mass 1 is 2.0 kg and sits at x = 1.0 m, mass 2 is 3.0 kg and sits at x =
-1.0 m, and mass 3 is 1.0 kg and sits at x = 3.0 m. Determine the exact location of the center of mass of
the system.
3. A wooden meterstick of uniform density has a mass of 50. grams. A mass of 100. g is attached to the “0”
end of the meterstick, and a mass of 200. g is attached to the “100” end. Determine where you will need
to place your finger for the meterstick to balance now.
4. A wooden meterstick of uniform density has a mass of 50. grams. Determine how much mass needs to
be attached to the “0” end in order for the meterstick to balance at the 20. cm mark.
5. A system of three particles sits in the x-y plane. Particle A has mass 5.0 kg and sits at the origin, (0,0).
Particle B has mass 2.0 kg and sits at location (3, 1). Particle C has mass 1.0 kg and sits at (2, 6).
Determine the x and y coordinates of the center of mass.
6. Particle 1 of mass 10.0 kg is located at point (0, 15) on the x-y plane, and particle 2 of mass 40.0 kg is
located at point (20, 0). Determine the x and y coordinates of the center of mass of this system. Solve
this problem in at least two ways.
7. An empty 1200.-kg car has its CM 3.10 m from the front of the car. How far from the front will the CM
be when two people sit in the front 2.60 m from the front of the car, and three sit in the back seat 3.85
from the front? Calculate the answer a) assuming that each person has a mass of 65 kg, and b) assuming
that each person has a mass of 100. kg

Set 2:
8. A square of side 1.0 m and a circle of diameter 1.0 m are cut from the same
sheet of metal. They are then placed next to each other. Determine the exact
location of the center of the mass of the system. (hint: the mass is
proportional to the area of the object).

9. A rectangle of dimensions 1.0 m by 2.0 m and a circle of diameter 1.0

m are cut from the same sheet of metal. They are then placed next to
each other. Determine the exact location of the center of the mass of
the system.

10. Three spheres of radius ro, 2ro and 3ro are placed next to
one another (in contact) with their centers along a
straight line. Where is the center of mass of the system?
Assume the spheres are made of the same uniform
material. (hint: mass is proportional to the volume of the
shape; you should remember the volume of a sphere is
(4/3)πr3).

11. Redo the previous problem for three circular plates made out of the same metal with uniform density and
thickness. Comment on how the answer compares to #10.

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12. Two rectangular plates of uniform thickness and density, each with length
5.0 m and width 2.0 m are arranged as shown to the right. Determine the
exact location (x and y) of the CM.

13. A rectangular metal plate of uniform density and thickness, with dimensions 6.0 m by 2.0 m, has a circle
of radius 1.0 m cut out of the left side and added to the right side as shown in the diagram. Determine
the new location of the center of mass. How far did the CM move from the original whole rectangle?
(hint: the hole can treated as an object with negative mass since it is “subtracted” from the rectangle”)

14. A metal sphere of diameter 2.0 cm is attached to a wooden

cube of side 2.0 cm. The sphere touches exactly at the center
of one face of the cube. The density of the metal is 1.50 times
the density of the wood. Determine whether the center of mass
of the two-object system is in the sphere or in the cube, and
how far from the interface.

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the
only thing to do was keep swinging. -- Hank Aaron (1934-2021)
I tell young people - including my granddaughter - there is no shortcut in life. You have to take it one step at a time and
work hard. And you have to give back. -- Hank Aaron (1934-2021)