Finding centre of mass of a semicircular lamina

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the center of mass of a semicircular lamina with a density that is proportional to the distance from the origin. Participants explore the implications of this density function and the necessary calculations to determine the center of mass coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the density function can be expressed as proportional to the distance from the origin, specifically suggesting a form like $\delta(x,y) = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}$.
  • There is a discussion about the symmetry of the semicircular lamina and how it may simplify the calculations.
  • One participant emphasizes the need to compute the mass of the lamina and the coordinates of the center of mass using integrals.
  • A later reply questions whether participants understand the meaning of "proportional" and the concept of distance from the origin, suggesting a switch to polar coordinates for clarity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to define the density function and the approach to finding the center of mass, but there is no consensus on the exact form of the density function or the best method to proceed with the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the interpretation of "proportional" and the implications of using different coordinate systems, such as Cartesian versus polar coordinates.

candy1
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Suppose the density of any point on a semicircular lamina {(x, y) : x >= 0,$$ x^2 + y^2$$ <= r^2 is proportional to its distance from the origin. Compute the centre of mass.

I am trying to figure out what is the density function for this case.
 
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Re: finding centre of mass of a semicircular lamina

The lamina here is the right half of a circular disk of radius $r$ centered at the origin.

What is the density function $\rho(x)$ and what kind of symmetry may we use?
 
Re: finding centre of mass of a semicircular lamina

MarkFL said:
The lamina here is the right half of a circular disk of radius $r$ centered at the origin.

What is the density function $\rho(x)$ and what kind of symmetry may we use?
Yaa.. that's what I am trying to figure out.. the density function.. and after that its pretty straight forward.
 
Re: finding centre of mass of a semicircular lamina

We are told the density at some point $P(x,y)$ is proportional to the point's distance from the origin. What is the distance of $P$ from the origin?
 
Re: finding centre of mass of a semicircular lamina

candy said:
Suppose the density of any point on a semicircular lamina {(x, y) : x >= 0,$$ x^2 + y^2$$ <= r^2 is proportional to its distance from the origin. Compute the centre of mass.

I am trying to figure out what is the density function for this case.

If the task is to find the coordinates x and y of the center of mass, the density function can be supposed to be... $\displaystyle \delta (x,y)= \sqrt{x^{2}+ y^{2}} $ (1)

Remember that You have to perform the following steps...

a) compute the mass of the lamina... $\displaystyle M= \int \int_{L} \delta (x,y)\ dx dy$ (2)b) compute the coordinates of the center of mass... $\displaystyle x_{g}= \frac{1}{M}\ \int \int_{L} x\ \delta(x,y)\ dx dy$

$\displaystyle y_{g}= \frac{1}{M}\ \int \int_{L} y\ \delta(x,y)\ dx dy$ (3)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
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Re: finding centre of mass of a semicircular lamina

candy said:
Suppose the density of any point on a semicircular lamina {(x, y) : x >= 0,$$ x^2 + y^2$$ <= r^2 is proportional to its distance from the origin. Compute the centre of mass.

I am trying to figure out what is the density function for this case.
Are you saying you do not know what "proportional" means? Or that you do not know what the distance from the origin is?

I would suggest changing to polar coordinates.
 

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