2 Centre of mass

This chapter will show you how to

} understand the concept of centre of mass

} find the centre of mass of a system of particles in one or

two dimensions
} find the centre of mass of a uniform plane figure by symmetry

} find the centre of mass of a composite lamina

} find the position of a lamina when it is suspended from a single point,

or placed on an inclined plane, in equilibrium.

Before you start

You should know how to: Check in:
1 Find the total moment of a system of 1 A light rod AB of length 4 m rests in a
parallel forces. horizontal position on supports at A and B.

M2
Particles of mass 2 kg, 4 kg and 6 kg are
attached to the rod at 1 m, 2 m and 3 m
from A respectively.
Find the total moment of their weights
about A and hence find the reaction in the
support at B.

29
 2.1 Centre of mass

Every object behaves as if its mass were concentrated at a Try suspending an irregular piece
single point – its centre of mass. of card. The same point G will be
below the hook whichever corner
If the object is in a uniform gravitational field, its weight acts you hang it from, and the card will
through the centre of mass. This determines how it will hang if balance on this point, as shown.
you suspend it, and where its ‘point of balance’ is.

In the simplest case, you find the centre of mass of a system of

particles placed at various points along a straight line. G G

W
xn Strictly speaking G is the centre
x2 of gravity, but except in extreme
x1 contrived situations the two
O points coincide. The centre of
m1g m2g mn g mass is important even in
conditions of weightlessness.
Suppose there are masses m1, m2, . . ., mn placed along a line
with displacements x1, x2, . . ., xn from an origin O. Some of the x-values may be
M2

The total moment of the system about O is negative – they are only shown
m1gx1 + m2 gx2 + . . . + mn gxn positive here to make the
illustration simpler.
The system is equivalent to a mass M = m1 + m2 + . . . + mn at
the centre of mass G, with displacement x from O.

x
O
Mg

The moment of this system is Mgx .

The two moments should be the same, so
Mgx = m1gx1 + m2 gx2 + ... + mn gxn
m1x1 + m2x2 + ... + mn xn Cancelling by g and replacing M
giving x= with m1 + m2 + . . . + mn.
m1 + m2 + ... + mn

You can write this result using sigma notation.

For a set of masses m1, m2, . . ., mn placed on a line with

displacements x1, x2, . . ., xn from an origin O, the centre of
mass G has displacement x, where
n
∑ mi xi
m1x1 + m2x2 + ... + mn xn i =1
x= =
m1 + m2 + ... + mn n
∑ mi
i =1

30
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 1
A light rod AB, of length 4 m, has particles of mass 4 kg, 10 kg
and 6 kg attached to it at points 1.5 m, 2 m and 3.5 m from A.
Find the position of the centre of mass.
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1.5 m 0.5 m 1.5 m 0.5 m

Sketch a diagram.
A B
4 kg 10 kg 6 kg
n
∑ mi xi
x= i =1
= 4 × 1.5 + 10 × 2 + 6 × 3.5 = 47 = 2.35 Taking A as the origin.
n 4 + 10 + 6 20
∑ mi
i =1

So the centre of mass is 2.35 m from A.

You can model a beam or strut of uniform density as a uniform rod

– a one-dimensional figure – if its thickness is negligible compared
to its length. By symmetry, you have

G
The centre of mass, G, of a uniform rod AB is at the A B
midpoint of AB.

M2
EXAMPLE 2

A uniform beam, AB, has length 3 m and mass 30 kg. Particles

of mass 10 kg and 40 kg are attached to the beam at C and D,
where AC = 1 m and AD = 2.5 m. Find the position of the
centre of mass of the system.
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The beam is uniform, so its centre of mass is 1.5 m from A,

as shown.
C D
A 1m 0.5 m 1m 0.5 m B
10 kg 30 kg 40 kg
n
∑ mi xi
x= i =1
= 10 × 1 + 30 × 1.5 + 40 × 2.5 = 155 = 1.94 Taking A as the origin.
n 10 + 30 + 40 80
∑ mi
i =1

So the centre of mass of the system is 1.94 m from A.

More generally the particles could be placed on a plane. y

x1 m1
Particles m1, m2, . . ., mn are placed on a plane at the points
(x1, y1), (x2, y2), . . ., (xn, yn). The centre of mass is G(x , y ). x2 m2
x G
If the system were in a uniform gravitational field xn mn
perpendicular to the plane, the resultant weight would
act through G.
O x
31
 2 Centre of mass

The moment of the resultant weight about the y-axis is the same
as the sum of the individual moments of the particles. This gives
( m1 + m2 + ... + mn ) gx = m1gx1 + m2gx2 + ... + mn gxn
n
∑ mi xi
m1x1 + m2x2 + ... + mn xn i =1
and hence x= = y
m1 + m2 + ... + mn n
∑ mi m1
i =1
m2
Similarly, taking moments about the x-axis, you obtain G
n y1
∑m y mn
m1y1 + m2 y 2 + ... + mn y n i =1 i i y2
y= = n y
m1 + m2 + ... + mn yn
∑ mi
i =1
O x

You can express the result in vector notation.

A system of particles of mass m1, m2, . . ., mn placed at points

⎛x ⎞ ⎛x ⎞ ⎛x ⎞ ⎛ x1 ⎞
with position vectors r1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ , r2 = ⎜ 2 ⎟ , !, rn = ⎜ n ⎟ has where ⎜ ⎟ = x1i + y1 j, etc
⎝ y1 ⎠ ⎝ y2 ⎠ ⎝ yn ⎠ ⎝y 1⎠
M2

⎛x⎞
centre of mass G with position vector r = ⎜ ⎟ , where
⎝y⎠
n ⎛ xi ⎞ n
∑ mi ⎜ ⎟ ∑ miri
⎛x⎞ i =1 ⎝ yi ⎠ r = i =1
⎜ ⎟= n
or n
⎝y⎠ ∑ mi ∑ mi
i =1 i =1
EXAMPLE 3

Masses of 2 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg are placed at A(3, 1), B(5, 7) and

C(1, -4) respectively. Find the position of the centre of mass.
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Take moments about the y-axis:

x = 2 × 3 + 3 × 5 + 5 × 1 = 2.6
2+3+5
Take moments about the x-axis:
y = 2 × 1 + 3 × 7 + 5 × (−4) = 0.3
2+3+5
So the centre of mass is at (2.6, 0.3).
You could have shown this in vector form:
⎛ 3⎞ ⎛ 5⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
2 ⎜ ⎟ + 3⎜ ⎟ + 5⎜ ⎟
⎝1⎠ ⎝7⎠ ⎝ −4 ⎠ ⎛ 2.6 ⎞
r = =⎜ ⎟
2+3+5 ⎝ 0.3 ⎠
So the centre of mass is at (2.6, 0.3).
32
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 4
Masses of 2 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg and 3 kg are placed respectively at
the vertices A, B, C and D of a light rectangular framework
ABCD, where AB = 3 m and BC = 2 m. Further masses of 1 kg The framework in Example 4
and 5 kg are placed at E and F, the midpoints of BC and CD is light. (It has negligiblse mass).
respectively. Find the centre of mass of the system.
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Take AB and AD to be the x- and y-axes, as shown. y

D F C
Let G(x, y) be the centre of mass of the system.
3 kg 5 kg 5 kg
Take moments about AD:
G(x, y)
x = 2 × 0 + 4 × 3 + 1 × 3 + 5 × 3 + 5 × 1.5 + 3 × 0 = 1.875
2m 1 kg E
2 + 4 +1+ 5+ 5+ 3
2 kg 4 kg B
Take moments about AB: x
A 3m
y = 2 × 0 + 4 × 0 + 1 × 1 + 5 × 2 + 5 × 2 + 3 × 2 = 1.35
2 + 4 +1+ 5+ 5+ 3
So the centre of mass is G(1.875, 1.35).
Alternatively, you could work in vector form:
⎛0⎞ ⎛3⎞ ⎛3⎞ ⎛3⎞ ⎛ 1.5 ⎞ ⎛0⎞
2 ⎜ ⎟ + 4 ⎜ ⎟ + 1⎜ ⎟ + 5 ⎜ ⎟ + 5 ⎜ ⎟ + 3 ⎜ ⎟
⎛x⎞ ⎝0⎠ ⎝0⎠ ⎝1⎠ ⎝2⎠ ⎝2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎛ 1.875 ⎞

M2
⎜ ⎟= 2 + 4 +1+ 5+ 5+ 3
=⎜ ⎟
⎝y⎠ ⎝ 1.35 ⎠

For a framework of uniform heavy rods you treat each rod as a

particle placed at its midpoint.
EXAMPLE 5

Three uniform rods, all of the same density, form a triangle

ABC where AB = 4 m, AC = 3 m and BC = 5 m.
Find the centre of mass of the framework.
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Let the mass of 1 metre of rod be m kg.

l = 90°.
ABC is a 3-4-5 triangle, so angle BAC
The rods are treated as particles placed at their midpoints, C
as shown.
1.5 m 2.5 m
Take AB and AC as the x- and y-axes:
5m kg
⎛2⎞ ⎛0 ⎞ ⎛2 ⎞ 3m kg
4m ⎜ ⎟ + 3m ⎜ ⎟ + 5m ⎜ ⎟
⎛x⎞ ⎝0⎠ ⎝ 1.5 ⎠ ⎝ 1.5 ⎠ ⎛ 1.5 ⎞ 2.5 m
⎜ ⎟= 4m + 3 m + 5m
=⎜ ⎟ 1.5 m
⎝y⎠ ⎝1 ⎠
A 2 m 4m kg 2 m B
So the centre of mass is at the point (1.5, 1).

Some questions require you to find an unknown mass or position

needed to achieve a stated centre of mass.
33
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 6
Masses of 1 kg, 3 kg and 2 kg are placed at points (2, 2), (2, 4)
and (5, 4). At what point should a mass of 4 kg be placed if
the centre of mass of the system is to be at G(3, 3)?
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Let the 4 kg mass be placed at (x, y).

Using vector notation, you have
⎛2⎞ ⎛2⎞ ⎛ 5⎞ ⎛x⎞
1⎜ ⎟ + 3 ⎜ ⎟ + 2 ⎜ ⎟ + 4 ⎜ ⎟
⎛x⎞ 2
⎝ ⎠ 4
⎝ ⎠ 4
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ y ⎠ ⎛ 3⎞
⎜ ⎟= 1+3+2+ 4
=⎜ ⎟
⎝y⎠ ⎝ 3⎠

⎛ 18 + 4x ⎞ ⎛ 30 ⎞
This gives ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ so x = 3, y = 2
⎝ 22 + 4y ⎠ ⎝ 30 ⎠

So the mass should be placed at the point (3, 2).

Exercise 2.1
1 Particles A, B, C and D, of mass 3 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 6 kg
respectively, lie on a straight line with AB = BC = CD = 1 m.
Find the distance of the centre of mass of the system from A.
M2

2 Particles of mass 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg and 4 kg are attached in that order to a rod
AB of length 1.5 m at distances of 0.3 m, 0.6 m, 0.9 m and 1.2 m from A.
a Assuming that the rod is of negligible mass, find the distance
from A of the centre of mass of the system.
b In fact the rod is uniform and of mass m kg. The centre of
mass of the system is 0.85 m from A. Find the value of m.

3 Find the coordinates of the centre of mass of the following

systems of particles placed respectively at the given points.
a 3 kg, 5 kg and 7 kg at A(2, 5), B(3, 1) and C(4, 9)
b 9 kg, 4 kg, 2 kg and 5 kg at A(4, 8), B(-2, 6), C(4, -4) and D(-2, -5)
c 6 kg, 12 kg and 7 kg at A(0, -8), B(6, -3) and C(-4, -9)

4 Find the position vector of the centre of mass of each of the following systems.
a Masses of 3 kg, 8 kg and 5 kg at points with position vectors
3i + 6j, 4i - 2j and 6i - 8j respectively.
b Masses of 3 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg and 5 kg at points with position
vectors 2i - j, 3i + 4j, -i - 2j and i - 3j respectively.

5 Masses of 2 kg, 8 kg, 6 kg and 4 kg are placed respectively at the

vertices A, B, C and D of a light rectangular framework ABCD,
where AB = 5 cm and BC = 3 m. Find the distance of the centre
34 of mass of the system from A.
 2 Centre of mass

6 ABC is a triangle formed of three uniform rods. AB has length 4 m and

mass 4 kg. AC has length 3 m and mass 2 kg. BC has length 5 m and mass
4 kg. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the triangle from
a AB b AC

7 A wire, of uniform density and length 3 m, is bent to form a F 1m E

triangle ABC where AB = 1.2 m and AC = 0.5 m. Find the
distance of the centre of mass of the triangle from
a AB b AC 2m

8 The diagram shows an L-shaped framework formed from a 3m

D C
wire of uniform density. Taking AB and AF as the x- and
y-axes, find the position of its centre of mass.

9 Masses of 4 kg, 9 kg and 6 kg are placed at A(5, 3), B(6, -2) and A 2m B
C(-1, 4) respectively. Where should you place a particle of mass
5 kg so that the centre of mass of the whole system is G(0, -1)?

10 The diagram shows a rectangular framework ABCD, formed D 0.6 m C

from two uniform rods each of length 1 m. The first rod is
used to form ABC. The second rod has density three times

M2
greater than the first and is used to form ADC. 0.4 m
Taking AB and AD to be the x- and y-axes, find the position
of the centre of mass of the framework.
A B

11 Masses of 5 kg, 4 kg, 2 kg and 3 kg are placed at A, B, C and D

respectively on a light rectangular framework ABCD, where
AB = 4 m and BC = 3 m. A mass m kg is placed at a point E
on CD so that the centre of mass of the system is the centre
of the rectangle. Find m and the position of E.

12 A uniform rod of length 1 m and mass 1 kg is bent to form A

the framework shown, where B  =Cl = 90°.
a Taking BC and BA as the x- and y-axes, find the centre D
0.4 m
of mass of the framework.
b A particle of mass m kg is attached to the framework at D.
The centre of mass then lies on the line AC. Find the value of m. B 0.4 m C

13 Particles of mass 3 kg, 5 kg, m1 kg and m2 kg are placed respectively at

points (1, 4), (4, 1), (2, 1) and (4, 2). The centre of mass of the system is (3, 2).
a Show that m1 - m2 = -1, and find a second equation connecting m1 and m2.
b Hence find the values of m1 and m2.

14 Particles of mass 1 kg, 2 kg and m kg are placed respectively at points

(0, 1), (1, 4) and (4, 3). The centre of mass of the system is a distance 13
35
from the origin. Find the value of m and the position of the centre of mass.
 2.2 Centre of mass of a lamina

You can find the centre of mass of some common shapes by using Objects with variable density are
their symmetry, provided that the bodies are uniformly dense. not covered in the M2 unit.
A rectangular sheet whose thickness is negligible compared with A lamina (plural laminae,
its other dimensions is modelled as a rectangular lamina. sometimes laminas) is a
two-dimensional figure.
By symmetry, you have:
D C

The centre of mass, G, of a uniform rectangular lamina ABCD G

is at the intersection of its diagonals.
A B
Similarly you have the centre of mass of a circular lamina.

The centre of mass, G, of a uniform circular lamina is at the G

centre of the circle.

In general a triangular lamina has no symmetry, but there is a

M2

simple general result.

Uniform triangular lamina A

You can think of a triangle as a large number of strips of
negligible thickness (that is, uniform rods) parallel to one of
its sides, as shown. The centres of mass (G1, G2, G3, etc.) of G3
these strips lie at their midpoints. G2
G1
The centre of mass, G, of the triangle must lie on the line
formed by G1, G2, G3, etc. This is the line AD joining A to the B D C
midpoint D of BC. This line is called a median of the triangle. A
Dividing the triangle into strips parallel to AC shows that G
lies on the median BE. Similarly, G also lies on the median CF.
F E
The medians of a triangle meet at the point which divides each
median in the ratio 2 : 1. So, in this diagram, you have G

AG : GD = BG : GE = CG : GF = 2 : 1 B D C

The centre of mass, G, of a triangular lamina is at the point of This formula is provided in the formulae
intersection of its medians. G is 2 of the way along the booklet for the examination.
3
median from the vertex.

36
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 1
ABC is a triangle, right-angled at A and with AB = 4.8 m and
AC = 3.6 m. Find the position of its centre of mass.
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C
G is on the median BE and EG = 1 EB.
3
EGI and EBA are similar triangles, so IG = 1 AB = 1.6m
3
D
E
In the same way, G is on the median CF and FG = 1 FC . 3.6 m G
3 I
1
FGH and FCA are similar triangles, so HG = AC = 1.2 m
3
A H F B
So the centre of mass is 1.2 m from AB and 1.6 m from AC. 4.8 m

The distance of the centre of mass from a given side of a This result was shown for a
triangular lamina is 1 the height of the triangle when that side right-angled triangle in Example 1.
3
is taken as the base.

The other lamina you will meet requires a formula. r

The diagram shows a sector of a circle of radius r. G

M2
The angle of the sector is 2a radians. 2a

The centre of mass, G, of a sector of a circle of radius r and

angle at the centre 2a radians is on the axis of symmetry at a
distance 2r sina from the centre.
3a

In addition to laminae, you will meet a uniform rod bent to r

form a circular arc.
G
2a

These formulae are provided

The centre of mass, G, of a uniform circular arc of radius r and
in the formula booklet.
angle at the centre 2a radians is on the axis of symmetry at a Their derivations are not in the
distance r sin a from the centre. M2 syllabus. Remember to
a
use radians.

37
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 2
Find the centre of mass of a semicircular lamina of radius 2 m.
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A semicircular lamina is a sector with an angle at the centre

of p radians, so in the formula you have a = p .
2
G
The centre of mass, G, is on the axis of symmetry, as shown,
2 × 2 sin p O 2m
and OG = 2m= 8 m
3p 3p
2
EXAMPLE 3

A uniform wire of length 2.4 m is bent to form a circular arc

of radius 1.2 m. Find the position of its centre of mass. Use the relationship s = rq
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between arc length, radius and
angle (in radians).
The angle at the centre is 2.4 = 2 radians, so in the formula
1.2
you have a = 1 radian.
G
The centre of mass, G, is on the axis of symmetry, as shown,
and OG = r sin a m =
1.2 sin 1
m = 1.01 m
a 1
M2

O 1.2 m

You can deal with a more complex object provided it is a

combination of the standard shapes. You can regard each of these
components as a particle placed at its centre of mass, and find the
centre of mass of the whole object from this system of particles.
EXAMPLE 4

The diagram shows an L-shaped lamina ABCDEF with y

uniform density. Find its centre of mass.
4m E
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The lamina consists of two rectangles, AHEF and HBCD, 3m
as shown. G1 D 6m C
7m G(x, y)
G2
If the mass of 1 m2 is m kg, then AHEF is 28m kg and
HBCD is 24m kg.
A H B x
Take AB and AF as the x- and y-axes.
The whole body behaves as particles of 28m kg at G1(2, 3.5)
and 24m kg at G2(7, 2).
⎛2 ⎞ ⎛7⎞ The density m cancels out. This is
28m ⎜ ⎟ + 24m ⎜ ⎟ always true for a uniform lamina,
⎛x⎞ ⎝ 3.5 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎛ 4.31⎞
⎜ ⎟= =⎜
You have and so you may as well assume
28m + 24m ⎟
⎝y⎠ ⎝ 2.81 ⎠ that the density is 1. This is
equivalent to using the area as
So the centre of mass is G(4.31, 2.81) m. the mass. Examples 5 and 6 will
use this approach.

38
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 5
A uniform lamina consists of a rectangle ABCD, with
G2
AB = 0.6 m and BC = 0.3 m, a semicircle with CD as
diameter and a right-angled triangle BEC, where BE = 0.3 m, D C

as shown. Taking AB and AD as the x- and y-axes, find the 0.3 m G1

centre of mass of the lamina. G3
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A 0.6 m B 0.3 m E
For the rectangle: area = 0.3 ´ 0.6 m2 = 0.18 m2
centre of mass = G1(0.3, 0.15)
For the semicircle: area = 1 p × 0.32 m 2 = 0.141 m 2
2
centre of mass = G2 0.3, 0.3 + 4 × 0.3 = G2(0.3, 0.427)
3p ( ) Centre of mass of semicircle using
the formula 2r sina
3a
1
For the triangle: area = × 0.3 × 0.3 m 2 = 0.045 m 2
2
centre of mass = G3(0.7, 0.1) Centre of mass of triangle is 1 of
3
The whole lamina has centre of mass G(x, y) where BE from CB and 1 of CB from BE.
3
⎛ 0.3 ⎞ ⎛ 0.3 ⎞ ⎛ 0.7 ⎞
0.18 ⎜ ⎟ + 0.141⎜ ⎟ + 0.045 ⎜ ⎟
⎛x⎞ ⎝ 0.15 ⎠ ⎝ 0.427 ⎠ ⎝ 0.1 ⎠ ⎛ 0.349 ⎞
⎜ ⎟= =⎜ The density has been taken as 1,
0.18 + 0.141 + 0.045 ⎟
⎝y⎠ ⎝ 0.251 ⎠ so the area represents the mass.
So the centre of mass is G(0.349, 0.251) m.

M2
In some cases the figure you are working with can best be
regarded as a standard shape with one or more pieces removed.
EXAMPLE 6

D C
The diagram shows a uniform rectangular piece of card
ABCD from which a rectangle PQRS has been cut.
Taking AB and AD as the x- and y-axes, find the S R
2m
centre of mass of the remaining lamina. 0.5m
0.5 m
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P 1m Q
For the original rectangle: area = 6 m2, centre of mass is (1.5, 1)
For the piece removed: area = 0.5 m2, centre of mass is (2, 0.75) A 3m B
For the remaining lamina: area = 5.5 m2, centre of mass is (x, y)
Take moments about the axes:
Moment of ABCD = moment of shaded lamina
+ moment of PQRS
⎛ 1.5 ⎞ ⎛x⎞ ⎛2 ⎞
6⎜ ⎟ = 5.5 ⎜ ⎟ + 0.5 ⎜ ⎟
⎝1 ⎠ ⎝y⎠ ⎝ 0.75 ⎠
⎛x⎞ ⎛ 1.5 ⎞ ⎛2 ⎞ ⎛8 ⎞
and so 5.5 ⎜ ⎟ = 6 ⎜ ⎟ − 0.5 ⎜ ⎟=⎜ ⎟
⎝y⎠ ⎝1 ⎠ ⎝ 0.75 ⎠ ⎝ 5.625 ⎠
⎛ x ⎞ ⎛ 1.45 ⎞
which gives ⎜ ⎟=⎜ ⎟
⎝ y ⎠ ⎝ 1.02 ⎠
So the centre of mass of the shaded lamina is (1.45, 1.02).
39
 2 Centre of mass

Exercise 2.2
1 Find the coordinates of the centre of mass of each of the following
uniform laminae.
a y b y

10 10

8 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

O x O 2 4 6 8 10 x
2 4 6 8 10

c y d y

10 10
M2

8 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

O x O 2 4 6 8 10 x
2 4 6 8 10

e y f y

4 4

2 2

O x –4 –2 O 2 4 x
–4 –2 2 4

–2 –2

–4 –4

40
 2 Centre of mass

2 Find the coordinates of the centre of mass of each of the following

composite uniform laminae.
a y b y

10 10

8 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

O x O 2 4 6 8 10 x
2 4 6 8 10

c y d y

10 10

8 8

M2
6 6

4 4

2 2

O x O 2 4 6 8 10 x
2 4 6 8 10

e y f y

10 10

8 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

O x O 2 4 6 8 10 x
2 4 6 8 10

41
 2 Centre of mass

3 Find the centre of mass of each of the following uniform laminae

relative to the origin O and the axes shown.
B
a V 2m U b
E
R 2m Q
2m D C 2.2 m
1m
4m 1.6 m 0.9 m 0.6 m
T S 1m
j
j i O 3m A
i O 5m P

c C B d
0.2 m

0.8 m 0.6 m
O
1.6 m

j
j i
i O 1.2 m A
M2

e f C

D 3m C B 60 cm
1m 1m
D
B
3m
60 cm
80 cm
j
i O 6m A
j O A
i 50 cm
20 cm 20 cm

4 The diagram shows a triangular lamina ABC, with S R

ABC = 90°, AB = 0.6 m and BC = 0.9 m. The triangle 1.2 m
is attached to a rectangular lamina PQRS, where A

PQ = 1.2 m and PS = 0.8 m. BC lies on PQ and

0.8 m
PB = 0.2 m, as shown. 0.6 m
Assume the two laminae have the same uniform density.
Taking PQ and PS to be the x- and y-axes respectively, B
P 0.2 m 0.9 m C Q
find the position of the centre of mass of the
combined object.

42
 2 Centre of mass

5 A uniform rectangular card ABCD is folded along OF and BE

as shown in the diagram.
AB = 120 cm, AD = 40 cm, AO = 20 cm and CE = 40 cm.
Taking O as the origin and axes as shown, find the centre
of mass of the folded card.
D F E C F D E

j
A O B i O A C B

6 The diagram shows a lamina in the form of a sector of a circle

centre O of radius 6 cm. The angle of the sector is 60°.
A uniform rod of negligible width is bent so that it attaches
exactly to the arc of the sector, as shown.

6 cm

M2
60°

The mass of the lamina is twice the mass of the rod. Show that
the centre of mass of the combined object is 14
p cm from O.

7 A bridge on a model railway is in the form of a rectangle with

a semicircular arch cut out of it. The whole structure is 28 cm
high and 36 cm wide, and the radius of the arch is 10 cm.
36 cm

28 cm

20 cm

Assuming that the bridge is made of a uniformly dense

material, find the height of its centre of mass above the base.

43
 2 Centre of mass

8 A uniform circular disc has centre O and radius 6 cm. Two

circular holes, each of radius 1 cm, are cut from the disc.
The centres of the holes are at A and B, where OA = OB = 3 cm
and angle AOBl = 90°. Find the position of the centre of mass
of the remainder.

9 A basketball hoop is made from a single uniform metal rod.

It comprises a straight section of length 20 cm and a circular
hoop of diameter 30 cm.

30 cm
20 cm

Find the distance of its centre of mass from the centre of the hoop.

10 A uniform lamina is in the shape of an equilateral triangle ABC

of side length 2 m. E and F are the midpoints of BC and AC.
The triangle EFC is removed. Find the exact distance from AB
M2

of the centre of mass of the remaining trapezium ABEF.

11 A uniform lamina is in the form of a segment of a circle of

radius 60 cm cut off by a chord AB of length 60 cm. Find the
distance of the centre of mass of the segment from AB.

12 A model aircraft wing comprises fabric attached to a triangular

framework ABC. AB = 80 cm and AC = BC = 50 cm.
Each centimetre of the framework has mass 2 g, and
each square centimetre of fabric has mass 0.1 g.
Find the distance of the centre of mass of the wing from AB.

13 The diagram shows a lamina comprising a rectangle ABDE E D

of length 1.2 m and width 0.8 m together with an isosceles
triangle BCD of height 0.6 m. F is the midpoint of AE. 0.8 m F
r
C
H is a point on CF, with FH = 0.4 m. A hole, centre H and H G
radius r cm, is cut in the lamina. The centre of mass of the
object is at G. A 1.2 m B 0.6 m

a Explain why G lies on CF.

b If r = 0.2, find the distance FG.
c If FG = 1 m, find the value of r.
d Explain why FG cannot be 1.1 m.

44
 2 Centre of mass

14 A uniform wire of length 1.4 m is bent to form the arc and

two radii of a sector of a circle of radius 0.5 m.
Find the distance of the centre of mass from the centre
of the circle.

15 The diagram shows a carpenter’s square, with a rectangular V U T

handle PQUV, of length 0.2 m and width 0.1 m, and a
0.1 m
rectangular blade RSTU of length 0.3 m and width 0.1 m.
0.2 m
The blade is made from metal of density 1 kg m-2, and the R 0.3 m S
handle from material of density m kg m-2.
a Find the value of m if the centre of mass of the object P 0.1 m Q
lies on the line QU.
b For this value of m, find the distance of the centre of mass
from PQ.

16 An isosceles trapezium ABCD has parallel sides AB and CD

of lengths a and b respectively and height h.
a Prove that the centre of mass of ABCD is at a distance
h (a + 2b)
3(a + b)

M2
from AB.
b Was it necessary for ABCD to be isosceles for this result
to hold? Explain your answer.

17 The diagram shows a lamina in the form of an isosceles

triangle ABC, where AC = BC, of height h. D lies on BC and
BD : DC = 1 : 2. E lies on AC and AE : EC = 1 : 2. The portion
of the triangle above the line DE has twice the density of the
remainder. Find the distance of the centre of mass of ABC
from AB.
C

E D
h

A F B

45
 2.3 Centre of mass and equilibrium

If an object is suspended from a single point, its equilibrium position

depends on its centre of mass. The centre of mass must be directly
below the point of suspension.
D 1.8 m C
EXAMPLE 1

The lamina shown is suspended freely from the vertex A.

Find the angle between AB and the vertical when the lamina
1.8 m
is in equilibrium. G
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A 3.6 m B
Take AB and AD as the x- and y-axes. The centre of mass of
the lamina is G(x, y) .
The lamina comprises:
a square of area 3.24 m2, centre of mass (0.9, 0.9)
and a triangle of area 1.62 m2, centre of mass (2.4, 0.6)
⎛ 0.9 ⎞ ⎛ 2.4 ⎞
3.24 ⎜ ⎟ + 1.62 ⎜ ⎟
⎛x⎞ 0
⎝ ⎠ .9 ⎝ 0.6 ⎠ ⎛ 1.4 ⎞
You have ⎜ ⎟= 3.24 + 1.62
=⎜ ⎟
⎝y⎠ ⎝ 0.8 ⎠
M2

So the centre of mass = G(1.4, 0.8) A

When the lamina is suspended from A, the line AG is vertical. 1.4 i
AB makes the angle q with the vertical, as shown. D
You have tanq = 0.8 0.8 G
1.4
and so q = 29.7°
C
B
The centre of mass also affects equilibrium when an object is
placed on an inclined plane. If the angle of the slope is too great,
the object can tip over.

G
G

A A

W
W

When this rectangle is placed on a slight incline, its weight has This assumes that friction is
an anticlockwise moment about A, so the rectangle can rest in sufficient to prevent the block
equilibrium. On the steeper slope the moment is clockwise, from sliding before it reaches the
46 point at which it tips over.
causing the rectangle to tip over.
 2 Centre of mass

EXAMPLE 2
The lamina in Example 1 is placed with CD on the line of
greatest slope of a plane inclined at a to the horizontal, D
being higher up the slope than C. Find the greatest value of a
for which the lamina will remain in equilibrium.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

A
1.4 m

0.8 m
B G
1m
D
a
C 0.4 m
a

The diagram shows the lamina on the point of tipping. If a were smaller, the weight
You have would act to the right of C,
tan a = 0.4 maintaining equilibrium. If a
1 were greater, the weight would
and so a = 21.8° act to the left of C, producing
a moment which would make
The lamina rests in equilibrium provided the slope the lamina tip over.
does not exceed 21.8°.

M2
Exercise 2.3
1 The diagram shows an L-shaped uniform lamina ABCDEF, F 2m E
with AB = 4 m, BC = 1 m, EF = 2 m and AF = 3 m.
a Find the distance of the centre of mass of the lamina from
i AF 3m
D C
ii AB
1m
A 4m B

b The lamina is attached to a hook at A and allowed to

A
hang freely. Find the angle with the vertical made by
B
the side AF.
D
C
c The lamina is placed on an inclined plane with EF in
F
contact with the slope, as shown. Find the angle of the E
slope if the lamina is on the point of tipping over.

2 ABCD is a uniform rectangular lamina with AB = 60 cm and

BC = 30 cm. E is the midpoint of CD. The triangle BCE is
removed from the lamina, and the remainder is suspended
from E. Find the angle that AD makes with the vertical when
the lamina hangs in equilibrium.

47
 2 Centre of mass

3 A uniform rod AB of mass 5 kg and length 2 m is attached at A

a point B on the rim of a uniform disc, centre C, of radius 0.6 m
and mass 10 kg, so that the rod is perpendicular to the plane
of the disc, as shown.
2m
a Taking BC and BA as the x- and y-axes respectively, find
the position of the centre of mass of the object.
b If the object is suspended from A, find the angle between B
0.6 m C
the rod AB and the vertical.

4 A uniform rod of length 3 m is bent to form a triangle ABC,

l = 90°, AB = 1.2 m and AC = 0.5 m.
with BAC
a Taking AB and AC as the x- and y-axes, find the coordinates
of the centre of mass of the triangle.
b The triangle is freely suspended from B so that it hangs in
equilibrium. Find the angle between the side AB and the vertical.

5 A uniform wire AB is bent to form the arc of a semicircle.

The wire is then suspended freely from A. Find the angle
between the diameter AB and the vertical.
M2

6 Masses of 2 kg, 4 kg, 6 kg and 9 kg are placed respectively at the

vertices A, B, C and D of a light rectangular framework ABCD,
where AB = 5 cm and BC = 3 m. Find the angle which AB makes
with the vertical when the framework is suspended from A.

7 ABCDE is a light framework consisting of a square ABCE and D 5 kg

an equilateral triangle CDE as shown. Particles of mass 2 kg,
1 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg and m kg are attached to A, B, C, D and E
m kg 4 kg
respectively. The framework is then suspended from A. E C
Find the value of m if the diagonal AC makes an angle of 20°
with the vertical.

A B
2 kg 1 kg

8 The diagram shows a symmetrical T-shaped uniform lamina T

resting on an inclined plane. U S
PQ = 20 cm, PW = 12 cm, RS = 4 cm and ST = 20 cm. V
Q R
Find the greatest angle at which the plane can be inclined
to the horizontal without the lamina tipping over.
W
P

48
 2 Centre of mass

9 The diagram shows the cross-section of a prism consisting D 50 cm C

of a rectangle ABCD, of length 50 cm and width 30 cm,
from which a triangle BCE has been removed so that AB
30 cm
has length x cm. Find the minimum value of x for which the
prism will stand on a horizontal surface with AE in contact
with the surface. A x cm E B

10 A uniform lamina is in the form of an isosceles trapezium of y

height 6 cm and with parallel sides of length 4 cm and 10 cm,
as shown. 4
a Using the axes illustrated, find the coordinates of the
2
centre of mass of the lamina.
0 2 4 6 8 10 x
–2

–4

b The lamina is placed with its shortest side on an inclined

plane, as shown. The lamina is on the point of toppling.

M2
Find the angle of the slope.

11 A uniform prism has cross-section ABCD comprising a square

and a triangle, as shown. The prism rests on a rough plank.
The coefficient of friction between the prism and the plank
is 0.4. The angle, a, between the plank and the horizontal D
is gradually increased.
a Assuming that the prism does not topple over,
C
what is the value of a for which the prism is on the
point of sliding? 0.6 m 0.3 m

b Assuming that the prism does not slide, what is B

the value of a for which the prism is on the A 0.3 m
point of toppling over?
c What do you conclude about the way in which
equilibrium will be broken?

49
 Review 2

1 Particles A, B and C, of mass 3 kg, 2 kg and 5 kg respectively, are

attached in that order to a straight light rod with AB = 2 m and
BC = 3 m. If the centre of mass of the system is G, find the
length AG.

2 A lawn edging tool comprises a handle, of mass 30 g and

negligible thickness, a uniform narrow shaft of length 1 m and
mass 150 g, and a semicircular blade of diameter 20 cm and
density 3 g cm-2, as shown.

Shaft
Handle Blade

a Find the distance of the centre of mass of the tool from

the handle.
M2

b A gardener holds the tool horizontally, with one hand

on the handle and the other at the midpoint of the shaft.
Find the magnitude and direction of the force she must
exert with each hand.

3 Particles A, B, C and D, of mass 2 kg, 3 kg, 1 kg and 4 kg

respectively, are placed on a plane at points (2, 1), (7, 5),
(4, -2) and (3, 8) respectively. Find the coordinates of G,
the centre of mass of the system.

4 ABCD is a light rectangular framework with AB = 3 m and

BC = 2 m. E and F are the midpoints of BC and CD respectively.
Particles of mass 3 kg, 2 kg, 1 kg, 5 kg, 6 kg and 3 kg are placed
respectively at A, B, C, D, E and F. Find the distance of the
centre of mass of the system from AB and AD.

5 A uniform wire of length 40 cm is bent to form a right-angled

triangle ABC, with AB = 8 cm and AC = 15 cm.
a Find the distance of the centre of mass of the triangle from
AB and AC.
b The triangle is suspended freely from B and hangs in equilibrium.
Find the angle between the side AB and the vertical.

50
 2 Centre of mass

6 The diagram shows a uniform lamina. All the vertices are B 0.2 m A
right angles.
0.1 m
a Find the position of G, the centre of mass of the
lamina, relative to the origin O and axes shown. 0.1 m
0.3 m
b The lamina is suspended freely from the vertex A and
hangs in equilibrium. Find the angle between the side y 0.1 m
OB and the vertical.
O x 0.3 m

7 A uniform wire AB of length 60 cm is bent to form an arc of

a circle of radius 50 cm.
a Find the distance between the centre of mass of the arc and
the chord AB.
A lamina is in the form of a sector of a circle with radius 50 cm
and arc length 60 cm. The wire is attached along the arc of the sector.
b If the mass of the wire is 1 kg and the centre of mass of the
combined object lies on the chord AB, find the mass of
the lamina.

M2
8 The diagram shows a lamina comprising a square of side 1.5 m
length 0.9 m attached to a right-angled triangle.
The lamina rests in equilibrium on an inclined plane, 0.9 m
as shown. If the lamina is on the point of toppling over,
find the angle of the slope. 0.9 m

9 A uniform lamina consists of a semicircle with centre O and

radius r cm attached to an isosceles triangle of base 2r cm and
r O r
height h cm, as shown. A B

a If the centre of mass of the lamina is at O, show that h = r 2.

h

In fact r = 15 and h = 30. A hole of radius R cm is cut in the

triangle, as shown, with centre C on the median of the triangle,
where OC = 10 cm. 15 cm O 15 cm
A B
b If the centre of mass of this lamina is at O, C
R
find the value of R. 30 cm

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 2 Exit

Summary Refer to
} For particles of mass m1, m2, . . ., mn placed at points with coordinates
(x1, y1), (x1, y1), . . ., (xn, yn), the centre of mass is G(x, y), where
n

m x + m2x2 + ... + mn xn i∑
mi xi
=1
x= 11 =
m1 + m2 + ... + mn n
∑ mi
i =1
n
∑m y
m1y1 + m2 y 2 + ... + mn y n i =1 i i
y= = 2.1
m1 + m2 + ... + mn n
∑ mi
i =1
} You can find the centres of mass of some common shapes by symmetry.
} For a triangular lamina, G is at the point of intersection of the
medians. G is 2 of the way along the median from the vertex.
M2

3
} For a sector of a circle of radius r and angle at the centre
2a radians, G is on the axis of symmetry 2r sin a from the centre.
3a
} For a circular arc of radius r and angle at the centre 2a radians,
G is on the axis of symmetry r sin a from the centre.
a
} For composite bodies you treat each component as a particle at its centre
of mass and find the centre of mass of the resulting system of particles. 2.2
} When an object is suspended in equilibrium, its centre of mass is
vertically below its point of suspension.
} An object resting on a surface will topple over if a vertical line through its
centre of mass does not pass through its region of contact with the surface. 2.3

Links
When designing any vehicle, it is vital that the engineer
knows the exact location of its centre of mass.
For a car, the lower the centre of mass, the less the risk that
the car will roll over when it is being driven round a corner.
Similarly, for a tractor working on sloping ground, a high
centre of mass would be dangerous because the tractor
would be likely to topple over.

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