Understanding the Center of Mass: Exploring its Concept and Importance

[rmarkatos]

I really don't understand the concept of center of mass but i have a conceptual question that i am really not sure about.

Where would you expect the center of mass of a doughnot to be located? Why?

I mean gut instinct would tell me the center of the doughnut but there is no mass located there so i really need someone to help explain this to me.

 

[radou]

The center of mass doesn't have to be at a specific point of the body. Your instinct is right - the center of mass of a donut would be in the center of the donut (in the air), which follows from the definition of the center of mass.

Edit: of course, we're talking about an idealised donut, which would look like this: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/353482/2/istockphoto_353482_3d_torus_vector.jpg".

 

[rmarkatos]

yeah i figured that but what does the center of mass that center of mass is located at that spot because i really am not clear on the whole center of mass idea

 

[rmarkatos]

sorry a few typos in the last post but i was saying that what exactly explains the fact the center of mass of a doughnot is located in the middle because i don't understand center of mass

 

[radou]

yeah i figured that but what does the center of mass that center of mass is located at that spot because i really am not clear on the whole center of mass idea

Then you should investigate these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass"
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cm.html"