What is the Speed of the Center of Mass of Two Moving Particles?

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SUMMARY

The speed of the center of mass of two particles, one with a mass of 5.6 kg moving east at 10 m/s and another with a mass of 17 kg moving west at 10 m/s, is calculated using the formula for momentum. The correct approach involves treating the velocities as vectors and applying the equation m1V1 + m2V2 = Mtotal * VCofM. The final calculation reveals that the speed of the center of mass is not simply 10 m/s, as initially assumed, but requires vector consideration to yield the correct result.

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JJones_86
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Homework Statement


If a particle of mass 5.6 kg is moving east at 10 m/s and a particle of mass 17 kg is moving west at 10 m/s, what is the speed of the center of mass of the pair?


Homework Equations



Not sure how it would relate, but to find the center of mass = (m1x1 + m2x2)/(m1+m2)



The Attempt at a Solution



I can't figure out where to start. Our homework does not come from our textbook, so our textbook doesn't have any relevant equations/solutions for this problem.
 
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JJones_86 said:

Homework Statement


If a particle of mass 5.6 kg is moving east at 10 m/s and a particle of mass 17 kg is moving west at 10 m/s, what is the speed of the center of mass of the pair?2. Homework Equations

Not sure how it would relate, but to find the center of mass = (m1x1 + m2x2)/(m1+m2)

The Attempt at a Solution



I can't figure out where to start. Our homework does not come from our textbook, so our textbook doesn't have any relevant equations/solutions for this problem.

Actually your intuition is pretty good. Because if you were to treat the momentum of the particles as vectors and add them, then you have a vector for the combined momentum of the particle system. Since the momentum of this system can be expressed as the Velocity Vector times the scalar of the combined mass, then your result would be the Velocity Vector of the system. Just replace the x1 and x2 in your equation with the velocities and ... you have the equation for the Velocity of the Center of Mass.
 
Ok, so let me see if I'm following you..
So I find the momentum of Particle 1 and Particle 2, and since they are moving towards each other, i find the differnce, and this is the combined momentum of the particle system. I'm not sure what you mean by this momentum can be expressed as the velocity vector times the scalar of the combined mass...
 
JJones_86 said:
Ok, so let me see if I'm following you..
So I find the momentum of Particle 1 and Particle 2, and since they are moving towards each other, i find the differnce, and this is the combined momentum of the particle system. I'm not sure what you mean by this momentum can be expressed as the velocity vector times the scalar of the combined mass...

m_1\vec V_1 + m_2\vec V_2 = M_{total} * \vec V_{CofM}
 
Ok, but I'm getting that the velocity is 10 m/s, and it is the incorrect answer

I did this:

(5.6 kg(10 m/s) + 17 kg(10 m/s))/(5.6 kg + 17 kg) = 10 m/s...
 
JJones_86 said:
Ok, but I'm getting that the velocity is 10 m/s, and it is the incorrect answer

I did this:

(5.6 kg(10 m/s) + 17 kg(10 m/s))/(5.6 kg + 17 kg) = 10 m/s...

You didn't treat them as vectors.

One is moving east, the other west. You want something more like (17 - 5.6)/(17 + 5.6)
 
Ok, I figured it out. Once again I appreciate it.
 

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