*52.  The drawing shows a sulfur dioxide molecule. It consists of two ­oxygen atoms and a sulfur atom. A sulfur atom is twice as massive as an oxygen atom. Using this information and the data provided in the drawing, find (a) the x coordinate and (b) the y coordinate of the center of mass of the sulfur dioxide molecule. Express your answers in nanometers

(1 nm x 10-9 m).

 

Use the Sulfur atom as the origin (0 m, 0 m).  Now find the x and y distances to the oxygen atoms.  Notice the angles are with respect to y axis and not the x axis.  This means we must swap which is cos and which is sin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now use that

 

 

 

 

 

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This page last updated on October 16, 2020