Question

A man with mass m1 = 61.0 kg stands at the left end of a uniform boat with mass m2 = 168.0 kg and a length L = 2.7 m. Let the origin of our coordinate system be the man’s original location as shown in the drawing. Assume there is no friction or drag between the boat and water.

1) What is the location of the center of mass of the system?

2) If the man now walks to the right edge of the boat, what is the location of the center of mass of the system?

Why are the answers to both 1) and 2) the same? Shouldn't the center of mass also move since the man has moved to the right of the boat?

Answer 1

Where is the drawing?