Recent content by 4PH20

I mean (2/3)L

OK thanks i undrstand so far so the convenient location for origin could be the starting point (the point before the guy walks across boat) right? If yes than center of mass before he goes anywhere is: center of mass = m1x1 + m2x2 / (m1 + m2) = m*0 + 3m*(L/2) / (4m) = 3/2L is this correct so...

oK thanks. So one of the reasons they are asking about person in boat is that it does away with friction right? I have considered each end of the trip. Before the guy goes anywhere the center of mass is a combination of the boats mass and his mass, then apply the forumla, but ihave question...

Homework Statement A person with mass m is sitting on one end of a lifeboat of uniform density. Mass of lifeboat is 3m. The person then walks a distance of L to the other side of the lifeboat. Which of the following statements best characterizes the motion of the lifeboat? " The lifeboat...