Answer:
a) Xcom = 2.083 m
b) 1.266 m
Explanation:
Given
m1 = 86.7 kg
m2 = 111.8 kg
L = 2.9 m
a) The expression for the center of mass is given as
Xcm = (m1*x1+m2*x2)/(m1+m2)
where
x1 = L =2.9 m
x2 = (2.9/2) m = 1.45 m (the edge of the dock)
⇒ Xcm = (86.7 kg*2.9 m+111.8 kg*1.45 m)/(86.7 kg+111.8 kg)
⇒ Xcom = 2.083 m
b) We use the formula
2*Xoc - L = 2*2.083 m - 2.9 m = 1.266 m