How Is the Center of Mass Calculated in a Two-Particle System?

[eraemia]

Homework Statement

Consider a system consisting of two particles, one with three times the mass of the other. If the distance between the particles is 1.0 m, the system's center of mass is what distance from the smaller object?

Homework Equations

xcm = (m2/M)(D) = (m2 / (m1 + m2)) D

The Attempt at a Solution

mass of particle 1: 3
mass of particle 2: 1

(3 / (1 + 3)) * 1 = 3/4 m

 

[learningphysics]

Looks right to me.