Center of gravity and the center of mass

In summary, the center of mass and center of gravity are similar concepts but have slight differences in their interpretations and treatments. The center of mass is a point where all the mass of a body is concentrated while the center of gravity is a point where all the weight is concentrated. In most situations, they can be treated as the same point, but the center of mass is a more general concept as it takes into account the 3D nature of a body.
  • #1
marichue
1
0
:cry: been wonderin' for an hour already nac somebody please answer if there is a difference between the center of gravity and the center of mass if there is, what is it?
 
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  • #2
The center of mass is a point on a body where you can consider all the mass to be concentrated, whereas the center of gravity is a point on a body where you can consider all the WEIGHT to be concentrated.
 
  • #3
In any realistic situation, you can treat them both as the center-of-mass.

I've seen center-of-gravity treated as a horizontal location (as on a floor)
which the center-of-mass is directly above or directly below.
In that interpretation & treatment, center-of-mass, being 3d, is more general.
 

FAQ: Center of gravity and the center of mass

1. What is the difference between the center of gravity and the center of mass?

The center of gravity is the point at which the entire weight of an object can be considered to act. It is the point where the force of gravity is balanced, and the object will remain in equilibrium. The center of mass, on the other hand, is the point where an object's mass is evenly distributed in all directions. While they are often used interchangeably, the center of gravity takes into account the effects of gravity, while the center of mass does not.

2. How is the center of gravity calculated?

The center of gravity can be calculated by finding the weighted average of the position of each particle of an object. This can be done by multiplying the mass of each particle by its distance from a chosen reference point, and then dividing the sum of these values by the total mass of the object.

3. Can the center of gravity change?

Yes, the center of gravity can change depending on the position and orientation of an object. For example, when a person moves their arms or changes their body position, their center of gravity will shift. Similarly, if an object's mass is not evenly distributed, its center of gravity will also change.

4. How does the center of gravity affect stability?

The lower an object's center of gravity is, the more stable it will be. This is because a lower center of gravity means there is less distance between it and the object's base, making it less likely to tip over. This is why objects like tables and chairs are designed with a low center of gravity.

5. How does the center of mass differ in different gravitational fields?

The center of mass of an object will remain the same regardless of the gravitational field it is in. However, the center of gravity will change depending on the strength of the gravitational field. For example, the center of gravity of an object on Earth will be slightly different on the moon due to the moon's weaker gravitational pull.

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