Where is the Center of Mass for a Semicircular Wire?

In summary, the coordinates of the center of mass for a semicircle of radius r are determined by integrating sqrt(r^2-x^2) from -r to r, and dividing it by the diameter of the circle. This can be represented by the formula \bar y = \frac {\int_{-R}^{R} y dx}{\int_{-R}^{R} dx}. The units used in the calculation can also provide a clue.
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A uniform thin wire is bent into a semicircle of radius r. Determine the coordinates of its center of mass with respect to an origin of coordinates at the center of the "full" circle. (The semicircle is in the positive y plane.)
 
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What have you done so far?
 
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I've tried to integrate sqrt(r^2-x^2) from -r to r, and then divide it by half the area of the circle...
 
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That's a good start! Instead of dividing by half the area of the circle divide by the diameter of the circle instead:

[tex]\bar y = \frac {\int_{-R}^{R} y dx}{\int_{-R}^{R} dx}[/tex]

Your units would provide a clue!
 

FAQ: Where is the Center of Mass for a Semicircular Wire?

What is the center of mass for a thin wire?

The center of mass for a thin wire is the point at which the mass of the wire is evenly distributed in all directions. It is the point around which the wire will balance in a uniform gravitational field.

How is the center of mass calculated for a thin wire?

The center of mass for a thin wire can be calculated by finding the average of the positions of all the individual particles that make up the wire. This can be done using the formula: xcm = (m1x1 + m2x2 + ... + mnxn) / (m1 + m2 + ... + mn), where x is the position and m is the mass of each particle.

Can the center of mass of a thin wire be located outside the wire?

No, the center of mass of a thin wire will always be located somewhere along the length of the wire. It cannot be located outside of the wire because the wire is a continuous object with no gaps or holes.

How does the shape of a thin wire affect its center of mass?

The shape of a thin wire does not affect its center of mass as long as the wire has a consistent thickness and density along its length. The center of mass will still be located at the same point, regardless of whether the wire is straight, curved, or bent.

Why is the center of mass important for a thin wire?

The center of mass is important for a thin wire because it helps us understand how the wire will behave when subjected to external forces. It is also used in engineering and physics calculations related to the stability and motion of the wire.

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