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by Ron Kurtus (25 August 2010) The center of gravity (CG) of an object is the balance point around which there are equal moment arms of length times weight. The object can act as if all its weight was concentrated at the CG. You can find the center of gravity mathematically by taking the average or mean distribution of the weight of the object. You can also find the CG experimentally by either using a plumb line or finding the balance point. Note: Some textbooks confuse center of gravity with center of mass (CM). Finding the center of gravity requires that the object is under the influence of gravity, while center of mass is the center of a mass distribution. Although CG is often at the same location as the CM, they are completely different concepts. (See Gravitation and Center of Mass for more information.) Applications include the fact that free rotation of an object is always around its center of gravity and that an object will tip over when the center of gravity lies outside the supporting base of the object. Also, the greatest force is applied through the center of gravity. Questions you may have include:
How can you calculate the center of gravity? What experiments can determine the center of gravity? What are some applications of the CG?
This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Metric-English Conversion
In the case of a highly irregular object, the weights can consist of individual particles or even atoms. Calculus is then used to integrate the product of these weights and the differential separations. If the object is made up of regular parts, such as squares or circles, you can use the fact that each has a CG at its geometric center. This is seen in the illustration below:
Calculating CG of weights The center of gravity in the illustration is at the following separation from the arbitrary zero-point: CG = (aM + bN + cP)/(M + N + P) For example, if:
a = 1 ft b = 4 ft c = 8 ft M = 1 lb N = 2 lb P = 4 lb
CG = (1*1 + 4*2 + 8*4)/(1 + 2 + 4) CG = 41/7 CG = 5.9 ft from the zero point The approximate CG is shown in the illustration.
either use experimentation or calculation. It is easier to determine the center of gravity of many objects by experimentation than by calculation.
Measuring CG with plumb line This procedure is relatively easy for a flat object. However, it can be more difficult if the object has some shape in the three dimensions.
Balance point
For some objects, you can find its balance point through experimentation. For the object in the illustration above, the balance point could easily be found. However, it would be difficult to find the balance point for an object with curved surfaces.
Applications
A lower center of gravity helps prevent an objectsuch as an automobilefrom tipping over. Objects will spin about their CG. Also, the center of gravity provides the greatest impact in a collision.
Tipping point
When you tilt an object on an edge, it will tip over only when the center of gravity lies outside the supporting base of the object.
Object tips over when CG passes pivot point Objects that are heavier toward the bottom have a lower center of gravity and are thus more difficult to tip over. Automobiles and trucks have a lower center of gravity to improve their stability.
An interesting application is when the center of gravity is below the balance or pivot point. The object will readily balance and may oscillate or swing back and forth in that position.
CG below balance point There are a number of novelty items and toys that use this principle.
Hitting a baseball
The center of gravity is a point where all of the weight of the object is concentrated.
CG is best location to hit the ball When you swing a baseball bat, the best location to hit the ball is at the bat's center of gravity. At that point, the maximum force is applied to the ball for a given swing.
Summary
The center of gravity (CG) is where all of the weight of an object appears to be concentrated. This point is the average distribution of the weight of the object. The center of gravity of an object can also be found experimentally.
Free rotation of an object is always around its center of gravity. An object will tip over when the CG lies outside the object's support. The greatest force is applied through he center of gravity.