Physlet Illustration: Motion of the Center of Mass

 

 

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The blue ball is shot into the air and explodes into two equal pieces at the top of its parabolic path.  What path does the center of mass follow?

Hints

  1. Stop the animation at several times after the explosion and find the position of the center of mass.
  2. What path does it follow?
  3. Where does the center of mass land?

Reference

See Walker, Section 9-7

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter