Center of mass of a uniform wire

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the center of mass of a uniform wire consisting of two segments making a 60° angle with each other. Participants clarify that the problem is two-dimensional, with the center of mass located below point A. The solution involves treating the wire segments separately, determining their individual centers of mass, and then combining these to find the overall center of mass. Misinterpretations regarding the dimensionality of the problem were addressed, leading to a clearer understanding of the setup.

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Jahnavi
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Homework Statement



wire.png

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



I am having trouble understanding the setup as well as how to approach this problem .

I am not understanding the orientation of the two pieces of the wire .

They make angle 60° with each other , but then what does it mean when the question states that the center of mass lies below A ?

How are the two pieces of wires arranged ?
 

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I suppose that is a two-dimensional problem. Neglect the wire BC in the first place. Where, by means of a horizontal axis and the length AB, the center of mass of the inclined wire AB would be located?
 
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Jahnavi said:
I am not understanding the orientation of the two pieces of the wire .
Looks to me like a wire that's just bent at point B at the given angle.

Jahnavi said:
They make angle 60° with each other , but then what does it mean when the question states that the center of mass lies below A ?
Consider the horizontal component of the center of mass. Express that mathematically and you can solve for the quantity asked for.
 
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Hint: Treat pieces BC and BA separately. Where are their centers of mass? Then find the center of mass of the combination.
 
stockzahn said:
I suppose that is a two-dimensional problem.
Doc Al said:
Looks to me like a wire that's just bent at point B at the given angle.

Sorry ! I was wrongly interpreting this as a 3 -dimensional problem . I was considering the center of mass to be below the plane formed by the two pieces of wires .

Thanks for the clarification . I think I should now be able to solve the problem .
 

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