Chapter 8.3, Problem 45SSC

To determine

The center of mass on a roll of masking tape.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Center of mass of an object is defined as the point at which the sum of weighted relative position of the distributed mass is zero. If the force is applied at this point, only then the linear acceleration will be present. It is the mean location of a distribution of mass in space.

For some objects, the center of mass is located where there is no mass, that is, outside the object. For an object like roll on tape, the center of mass is located in the middle of a hole. As the tape is rolling, the center of mass is always below the pivot point.