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-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of John Mallinckrodt
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 1:11 PM
To: betwys1@sbcglobal.net; Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] The "why" questions
On Dec 3, 2010, at 10:04 AM, brian whatcott wrote:
The CofMass shows a ramp of acceleration which settles (finally) onf/m.
Not so. Assuming f is the net force on some well-defined object or
system of objects of total mass m, then the acceleration of the center
of mass is identical to f/m at all times. This is easy to show. It
seems to me that Al and Jeffrey have correctly distinguished between
that acceleration and the acceleration of a particle that may be at or
near the center of mass. That particle's motion depends on speed of
sound considerations. Not so for the motion of the center of mass.
John Mallinckrodt
Cal Poly Pomona
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