Lecture 26: CM & Linear Momentum

F = dp dt

Recap: Center of Mass

The center of mass of an object or system of objects is that position at which the mass of the whole system can be considered to act. For many problems the motion of the whole system can be replaced by the motion of the center of mass, greatly simplifying the calculations

P = MVCM
m3 F32 F23

FEXT =

dP = MACM dt

F31 F13 m1 F12

F21

m2

F1,EXT

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Physics 1301: Lecture 26, Pg 2

Recap: Center of Mass

The center of mass for two particles in 1-D is For many bodies in 3-d

Center of Mass and Equilibrium

We have seen that bodies like to rest with their center of mass at the lowest possible position. Minimize their potential energy If after a small displacement the force of gravity on the center of mass is tending to move it back to its original position Stable equilibrium If the force of gravity on the center of mass tends to move it further away it will keep moving Unstable equilibrium

x CM

m i xi m 1 x1 + m 2 x 2 = = m i m1 + m 2

RCM =

m r m
i i i

i i

For solid object

RCM =

r dm
M

For components

mi x i i mi y i i mi zi ( XCM ,YCM , Z CM ) = i M , M , M m2 m1 r2 RCM r1 y m3 r3 x m4 r4

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Tipping
Consider an object sitting on a slope The whole mass of the object, on which gravity acts, can be considered to be at the center of mass of the object If the object is tipped about the bottom corner, while the center of mass lies above the base the force of gravity will tend to tip it back to its original position. It is in stable equilibrium If it is outside the base, gravity will increase the tipping and it will fall over. It is in unstable equilibrium

ICQ: Center of Mass

An object with three prongs of equal mass is balanced on a wire (equal angles between prongs). What kind of equilibrium is this position?

a) stable b) neutral c) unstable

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ICQ: Center of Mass

An object with three prongs of equal mass is balanced on a wire (equal angles between prongs). What kind of equilibrium is this position?

ICQ: Center of Mass: Solution

The center of mass of the object is at its center and is initially directly over the wire (over the base supporting it). If the object is pushed slightly to the left or right, its center of mass will no longer be above the base and gravity can lower the center of mass. Equilibrium is unstable

a) stable b) neutral

+ CM
c) unstable
mg

+ CM
mg

(front view)
UIUC

Physics 1301: Lecture 26, Pg 7

Physics 1301: Lecture 26, Pg 8

ICQ: Center of Mass: Solution

Consider also the case in which the two lower prongs have balls of equal mass attached to them:

Velocity and Acceleration of the CM

If its particles are moving, the CM of a system can also move. Suppose we know the position ri of every particle in the system as a function of time.

RCM =

1 N m r M i =1 i i

N M = mi i =1

+ CM
mg

+ CM
mg

VCM =

dr dRCM 1 N 1 N = mi i = mi v i dt M i =1 dt M i =1

In this case, the center of mass of the object is below the wire. It will rest in its position of lowest potential energy

When the object is displaced, the potential energy is greater, the centre of mass will rise, gravity gives a restoring force, creating a stable equilibrium
Physics 1301: Lecture 26, Pg 9

ACM =

dVCM 1 N dv i 1 N = mi = m i ai dt M i =1 dt M i =1

The velocity and acceleration of the CM are just the weighted average velocity and acceleration of all the particles.
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Physics 1301: Lecture 26, Pg 10

Linear Momentum:
For a single particle, the momentum p is defined as: (p is a vector since v is a p vector). pz=mvz Now

Linear Momentum:
For a system of particles the total momentum P is the vector sum of the individual momenta:

p = mv v So px = mvx py=mvy,

P=

i =1

pi = m i v i
i =1
N

Units of linear momentum are kg m/s. Newtons 2nd Law: F = ma a d ( mv) = m dv = dt dt

UIUC

VCM =

1 M

m v
i =1 i

F =

dp dt

So

P = MVCM

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Linear Momentum:
So the total momentum of a system of particles is just the total mass times the velocity of the center of mass. You can consider the motion of the whole system as the motion of the center of mass
P = MVCM

Linear Momentum:
Suppose we have a system of three particles as shown. Each particle is joined to and interacts with the other two, and in addition there is an external force pushing on particle 1.

F
i

i , NET

= ( F13 + F12 + F1,EXT ) + ( F21 + F23 ) + ( F31 + F32 ) = F1,EXT

F13

F31

m3 F32 F23 F21 m2

Observe:

dV dP = M CM = MACM = m i ai = Fi ,net dt dt i i
dP so we need to figure out Fi ,net dt i

(since the other forces cancel in pairs...Newtons 3rd Law) All of the internal forces cancel ! Only the external force matters!

m1 F12 F1,EXT

We are interested in

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Linear Momentum:
Only the total external force matters!

Center of Mass Motion: Recap

We have the following law for CM motion:
dP = MACM dt

dP = Fi ,EXT = FNET,EXT i dt
Which is the same as:

FEXT =

m3

This has several interesting implications: It tells us that the CM of an extended object behaves like a simple point mass under the influence of external forces: We can use it to relate F and A as for single particles.

FNET,EXT =

dP = MACM dt

m1 F1,EXT

m2

Newtons 2nd law applied to systems! Why we have been able to do

calculations assuming point bodies

If FEXT = 0, the total momentum of the system can not change. The total momentum of a system is conserved if there are no external forces acting.
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ICQ: Center of Mass Motion

Two pucks of equal mass are being pulled at different points with equal forces. Which experiences the bigger acceleration? (a) A1 > A2
A1

ICQ: Center of Mass Motion

Two pucks of equal mass are being pulled at different points with equal forces. Which experiences the bigger acceleration? (a) A1 > A2
A1

(b) A1 < A2

(c) A1 = A2

(b) A1 < A2

(c) A1 = A2

(1)
M T A2 F

(1)
M T A2 F

(2)
M T

(2)
M T

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ICQ: Center of Mass Motion: Solution

We have just seen that MA = FEXT A Acceleration depends only on external force, not on where it is applied! Expect that A1 and A2 will be the same since F1 = F2 = T = F / 2

ICQ: Center of Mass Motion: Solution

The final velocity of the CM of each puck is the same! Notice, however, that the motion of the particles in each of the pucks is different (one is spinning).

The answer is (c) A1 = A2. So the final CM velocities should be the same! This one has more kinetic energy (rotation)

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Astronauts Pull Together

Two astronauts of mass 150 kg, and 100 kg respectively, are at rest in outer space. They are connected by a light tether. They each pull on the rope. Where do they meet?

Astronauts Pull Together

Initially VCM = 0. VCM remains zero because there are no external forces. So, the CM does not move! They will meet at the CM.

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Astronauts Pull Together

M = 150 kg CM L x=0 Find the CM: Set astronaut on the left at x = 0: x=L m = 100 kg

Homework

Read Chapter 8 of Fishbane Homework problem Chapter 8 #7

xcm =

M (0) + m( L) 100( L) 2 = = L M +m 250 5

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