Chapter 6: Problem 5
Find the mass \(M\) and center of mass \(\bar{x}\) of the linear wire covering the
given interval and having the given density \(\delta(x)\).
$$\delta(x)=\left\\{\begin{array}{ll} 4, & 0 \leq x \leq 2 \\ 5, & 2
Short Answer
Expert verified
Mass \(M\) is 13 and center of mass \(\bar{x}\) is approximately 1.577.
Step by step solution
01
Set Up the Mass Integral
The mass of the wire, \(M\), is found by integrating the density function \(\delta(x)\) over the interval from 0 to 3. The wire is divided into two parts: \([0, 2]\) and \((2, 3]\). Therefore, we write the mass as the sum of two integrals: \[ M = \int_{0}^{2} 4 \, dx + \int_{2}^{3} 5 \, dx \] We will evaluate these integrals separately to find the mass.
02
Compute Mass on First Interval
Evaluate the first integral for the segment \([0, 2]\) with constant density 4: \[ \int_{0}^{2} 4 \, dx = 4x \Bigg|_{0}^{2} \] Substitute the limits: \[ 4 \times 2 - 4 \times 0 = 8 \] Thus, the mass from \([0,2]\) is 8.
03
Compute Mass on Second Interval
Evaluate the second integral for the segment \((2, 3]\) with constant density 5: \[ \int_{2}^{3} 5 \, dx = 5x \Bigg|_{2}^{3} \] Substitute the limits: \[ 5 \times 3 - 5 \times 2 = 15 - 10 = 5 \] Thus, the mass from \((2, 3]\) is 5.
04
Calculate Total Mass
Add the masses computed for the two intervals: \[ M = 8 + 5 = 13 \] The total mass of the wire is 13.
05
Set Up Center of Mass Integral
The center of mass \(\bar{x}\) is given by the formula: \[ \bar{x} = \frac{1}{M} \int_{a}^{b} x \cdot \delta(x) \, dx \] As with the mass, we need to consider the two intervals separately. Thus, \[ \int_{0}^{3} x \cdot \delta(x) \, dx = \int_{0}^{2} x \times 4 \, dx + \int_{2}^{3} x \times 5 \, dx \] We will find each integral separately.
06
Compute Center of Mass for First Interval
Evaluate the integral \(\int_{0}^{2} x \cdot 4 \, dx\): \[ \int_{0}^{2} 4x \, dx = 2x^2 \Bigg|_{0}^{2} \] Substitute the limits: \[ 2 \times 2^2 - 2 \times 0^2 = 8 \] The contribution to the center of mass from \([0,2]\) is 8.
07
Compute Center of Mass for Second Interval
Evaluate the integral \(\int_{2}^{3} x \cdot 5 \, dx\): \[ \int_{2}^{3} 5x \, dx = \frac{5}{2}x^2 \Bigg|_{2}^{3} \] Substitute the limits: \[ \frac{5}{2} \times 3^2 - \frac{5}{2} \times 2^2 = \frac{45}{2} - \frac{20}{2} = 12.5 \] The contribution to the center of mass from \((2,3]\) is 12.5.
08
Calculate Total Moment and Center of Mass
Add the contributions to the total moment of mass: \[ \int_{0}^{3} x \cdot \delta(x) \, dx = 8 + 12.5 = 20.5 \] Compute the center of mass: \[ \bar{x} = \frac{20.5}{13} \approx 1.577 \] The center of mass of the wire is approximately 1.577.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Mass Calculation
When we calculate the mass of an object such as a wire, we are determining how much material it contains. To find the mass, we use
- the integration of a density function over a defined interval,
- representing different sections of the object.
- 4 in the interval \(0 \leq x \leq 2\),
- and 5 in the interval \(2 < x \leq 3\).
Density Function
The density function, \( \delta(x) \), describes how the material is distributed throughout an object. In our problem, the density is given as a piecewise function:
- For \(0 \leq x \leq 2\), \( \delta(x) = 4 \), meaning the wire has a constant density of 4 units.
- For \(2 < x \leq 3\), \( \delta(x) = 5 \), indicating a change to a constant density of 5 units.
Integration
Integration is a powerful mathematical tool used to add up small pieces, or increments, to find quantities like area, volume, and mass. In this exercise, integration was employed to compute:
- the mass by summing the infinitesimal contributions of each segment of the wire,
- as well as to compute the moment when finding the center of mass.
Piecewise Functions
A piecewise function is composed of multiple segments, each defined over a specific part of the domain. For this problem, the density of the wire is expressed as a piecewise function:
- The section from \(0\) to \(2\) has a constant density value of \(4\).
- From \(2\) to \(3\), the density jumps to \(5\).