How Does Mass Influence the Velocity of the Center of Mass?

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The center of mass (COM) acts as a point where the entire mass of a system can be considered to be concentrated, influencing its velocity. The velocity of the COM (V(C)) is calculated using the formula V(C) = (m1*v1 + m2*v2...)/(m1 + m2...), which averages the speeds of individual bodies based on their masses. In a system with one very massive body, V(C) will closely resemble the speed of that massive body, overshadowing the influence of lighter bodies. The discussion highlights confusion regarding how the formula accounts for significant mass differences, particularly when a lighter object's mass approaches zero. Understanding the behavior of the COM in relation to mass distribution is crucial for grasping its velocity dynamics.
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Center of mass and its speed

hi,I'm not shure if this belongs in math section or here

The center of mass is special point in body and is moving as if whole mass was in it.

Velocity of center of mass V(C)= ( m1*v1 + m2*v2... )/(m1 + m2...)

V(c) is in a way an average speed of all the individual speeds bodies in the system have. Value of V(C) depends most on the mass of individual objects in a system. If system contains one very massive body and several others with small mass, then value of V(c) will be very close to the speed of a body with large mass.


It does make some sense,but I'm looking at formula
V(C)= ( m1*v1 + m2*v2... )/(m1 + m2...) and can't figure out how does that work out in this formula. If M1 has very large mass and speed V1 smaller approx. by factor 100 from speeds of other bodies, why would formula for V(C) give result that is closer to V1 than say to V2 and V3 ?

thank you in advance
 
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It might help to think about it this way: What happens to the center of mass when the mass of the lighter object goes to zero?
 
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