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Mechanics
Mechanics

Center of Mass (Two Objects)

xcm=m1x1+m2x2m1+m2x_{cm} = \frac{m_1 x_1 + m_2 x_2}{m_1 + m_2}

The center of mass is the mass-weighted average position of a system.

Variables

x_cm
Center of mass position
Position of center of mass
m
m₁
Mass 1
First object mass
kg
x₁
Position 1
Position of first object
m
m₂
Mass 2
Second object mass
kg
x₂
Position 2
Position of second object
m

Derivation

For a system of particles: x_cm = Σ(m_i × x_i) / Σm_i. For two objects, this simplifies to the weighted average.

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