A uniform 12-inch ruler has a 5-g mass at the "1-inch" mark, and a 10-g mass at the "7-inch" mark. Where is the system's center of mass?
A) At the "0-inch" mark
B) Between the "1-inch" mark and the "6-inch" mark
C) Between the "6-inch" mark and the "10-inch" mark
D) At the "6-inch" mark
E) At the "12-inch" mark

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The center of mass is calculated by taking the weighted average of the positions of the masses. The 5-g mass at 1 inch and the 10-g mass at 7 inches result in a center of mass between these two points, specifically closer to the 7-inch mark due to the larger mass.

A Uniform 12-Inch Ruler Has a 5-G Mass at the "1-Inch