College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 7 - Problems - Page 265: 41

Answer

The velocity of the center of mass is $~5~m/s~$ toward the west.

Work Step by Step

Let west be the positive direction. We can find the velocity of the center of mass $v_{com}$: $v_{com} = \frac{(5.0~kg)(-10~m/s)+(15~kg)(10~m/s)}{5.0~kg+15~kg} = 5~m/s$ The velocity of the center of mass is $~5~m/s~$ toward the west.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.