Using the expressions for the
velocities
of masses m1
and m2,
we may determine the total
linear momentum
ptotal
of the system of the two masses.
ptotal =
p1 +
p2 =
m1 v1
+ m2 v2
ptotal =
( m1 + m2
) VCM
We find one that the total linear momentum
of the system of two masses describes the linear momentum of an object
of mass m1 + m2,
representing the total mass of the system of two masses,
and which travels with the center-of-mass velocity
VCM(t).
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