Center of Mass of a Hollow 2D Triangle

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the center of mass of a hollow 2D right triangle with legs of lengths A and B, assuming uniform density and extremely thin sides.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different methods for calculating the center of mass, including using integrals and simplifying the problem by treating the triangle's sides as point masses located at their centers. Questions arise about the integration process and the setup of the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing with various approaches being explored. Some participants are considering the use of integrals while others suggest alternative methods. There is no explicit consensus yet, but participants are engaging with the problem and offering insights.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the requirement to use integrals in the problem setup, which may influence their approaches. There is also mention of dividing the triangle into slices for integration purposes.

datdo
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Homework Statement



What is the center of mass a hollow 2D right triangle having legs of length A and B. The sides of the triangle are also extremely thin. Assume uniform density.

Homework Equations



[tex]\overline{x}[/tex]=∫xmdx/∫mdx

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\overline{x}=\int\frac{ax^2dx}{b}/\int\frac{axdx}{b}[/tex]<-something like that
my final answer was ([tex]\frac{a^2}{b}[/tex],[tex]\frac{b^2}{a}[/tex])
 

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Welcome to PF!

datdo said:
What is the center of mass a hollow 2D right triangle having legs of length A and B. The sides of the triangle are also extremely thin. Assume uniform density.

Hi datdo! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(i can't see your picture yet, but …)

Wouldn't it be simpler to replace each side by an equal mass at its centre? :wink:
 
hmm... i didn't think of that...
A:(.5A,0)
B:(0,.5B)
hypotenuse:(.5A,.5B)
[tex]\overline{x}=\frac{A*.5A+B*0+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}*.5A}{A+B+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}=\frac{.5A^2+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}*.5A}{A+B+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}[/tex]
[tex]\overline{y}=\frac{A*0+B*.5B+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}*.5B}{A+B+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}=\frac{.5B^2+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}*.5B}{A+B+\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}[/tex]

Oh but I had to use integrals. I should have put in the problem.
 
Last edited:
Hi datdo! :smile:
datdo said:
Oh but I had to use integrals. I should have put in the problem.

yeeees :rolleyes:

ok, then for the x-coordinate divide the triangle into "vertical" slices of thickness dx …

then for the bottom side just integrate xdx, and for the slanty side integrate … ? :smile:
 

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