Find the center of mass of the ammonia molecule. The chemical formula is NH3. The hydrogens are at the corners of an equilateral triangle (with sides 0.16 nm) that forms the base of a pyramid, with nitrogen at the apex (0.037 nm vertically above the plane of the triangle).
I'm not sure how to go about this problem. Step by step guidelines on how to work out this problem would be greatly appreciated!!
I'm not sure how to go about this problem. Step by step guidelines on how to work out this problem would be greatly appreciated!!
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Pick a point (any point you want that doesn't fall directly on one of the masses). It's usually easiest to choose somewhere that creates some symmetry (like the middle).
Split each displacement from this point into x and y components.
Formula for center of mass:
R = Σmr / Σm
Multiply each mass by its displacement from this point, add them all up and divide by the total mass. Do this for the x and y components separately. The two centers you get from the x and y components give you a point (x,y) with the original point you picked as the origin (0,0). This point is the center of mass.
Split each displacement from this point into x and y components.
Formula for center of mass:
R = Σmr / Σm
Multiply each mass by its displacement from this point, add them all up and divide by the total mass. Do this for the x and y components separately. The two centers you get from the x and y components give you a point (x,y) with the original point you picked as the origin (0,0). This point is the center of mass.