Center of mass,

center of gravity 02
Shamila Kulatunga
BSc Honours in Physics, MSc in Physics
1
Department of Mechatronics and Industry Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
NSBM GREEN UNIVERSITY TOWN
 Example 03
2

 Two bodies of masses 0.5 kg and 1 kg are lying in the X-Y plane at points
(-1, 2) and (3,4) respectively. Locate the center of mass of the system.

 Solution:
 𝑀 = σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 = 0.5 + 1 = 1.5 𝑘𝑔
 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖 = 0.5 × −1 + 1 × 3
 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖 = 2.5 𝑘𝑔𝑚
σ𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖
 𝑥𝑐𝑚 =
𝑀
2.5
 𝑥𝑐𝑚 = = 1.667 𝑚
1.5
3 Example 03…

 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖 = 0.5 × 2 + 1 × 4
 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖 = 45𝑘𝑔𝑚
σ𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖
 𝑦𝑐𝑚 =
𝑀
5
 𝑦𝑐𝑚 = = 3.333 𝑚
1.5
4
Example 04

 Suppose three point masses are placed in the 𝑥𝑦 plane as

follows(𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠).
𝑚1 = 2𝑘𝑔 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 −1, 3
𝑚2 = 6𝑘𝑔 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 1, 1
𝑚3 = 4𝑘𝑔 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 2, −2
Find the center of mass of the system.

 Solution:
 𝑀 = σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 = 2 + 6 + 4 = 12𝑘𝑔
 𝑀𝑥𝑐𝑚 = σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖
 𝑀𝑦𝑐𝑚 = σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖
5
Example 04…

 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖 = 2 × −1 + 6 × 2 + 4 × 2
 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖 = 12 𝑘𝑔𝑚
σ𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑥𝑖
 𝑥𝑐𝑚 =
𝑀
12
 𝑥𝑐𝑚 = =1𝑚
12
 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖 = 2 × 3 + 6 × 1 + 4 × −2
 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖 = 4 𝑘𝑔𝑚
σ𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝑦𝑖
 𝑦𝑐𝑚 =
𝑀
4 1
 𝑦𝑐𝑚 = = 𝑚
12 3
6 Center of gravity

 The center of gravity is the point through which the force

of gravity acts on an object or system.
 In most mechanical problems the gravitational field is
assumed to be uniform.
 The center of gravity is then in exactly the same position
as the center of mass.
 Center of gravity of system of particles.
7
 Let the particles of weights 𝑤1 , 𝑤2 , … , 𝑤𝑛 be places at points 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … , 𝐴𝑛
lying in one plane. Let the coordinates of these points referred to
rectangular axis 𝑂𝑋, 𝑂𝑌 be 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , … , 𝑥𝑛 , 𝑦𝑛 .
 Let 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത be the coordinate of the centre of gravity.
 Weights of the particles form a system of parallel forces. The resultant
𝑤1 , +𝑤2 + ⋯ + 𝑤𝑛 acts at 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത .
 Center of gravity of system of particles.
8
 𝑥ҧ 𝑤1 + 𝑤2 + ⋯ + 𝑤𝑛 = 𝑤1 𝑥1 + 𝑤2 𝑥2 + ⋯ + 𝑤𝑛 𝑥𝑛
σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 𝑥𝑖 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝜌𝑖 𝑥𝑖
𝑥ҧ = 𝑛 = 𝑛
σ𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 σ𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝜌𝑖
 𝑦ത 𝑤1 + 𝑤2 + ⋯ + 𝑤𝑛 = 𝑤1 𝑦1 + 𝑤2 𝑦2 + ⋯ + 𝑤𝑛 𝑦𝑛
σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 𝑦𝑖 σ𝑛𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝜌𝑖 𝑦𝑖
𝑦ത = 𝑛 = 𝑛
σ𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 σ𝑖=1 𝑚𝑖 𝜌𝑖
9 Center of gravity of uniform bodies.

Centre of gravity of a uniform rod.

 AB is a uniform rod and G is the midpoint of AB.
 G is the centre of gravity of the rod AB.
 Center of gravity of uniform bodies…
10

Centre of gravity of a uniform triangular lamina.

 Let ABC be a triangular lamina. Suppose it is divided into
a very large number of narrow strips, such as PQ parallel
to BC.
 Centre of gravity of each strip is at its midpoint. Hence
the centre of gravity of the whole triangle lies on the line
going through the midpoints of the strips.
 Therefore, the centre of gravity is in the median AD.
 Similarly, the centre of gravity lies on the medians
through B and C.
 Therefore, the centre of gravity of the lamina is the point
of intersection of the medians – Centroid.
𝐴𝐺 2
 =
𝐺𝐷 1
11 Center of gravity of uniform bodies…

Centre of gravity of three equal particles

placed at the vertices of a triangle.
 The weights 𝑤 at B and C are equivalent to 2𝑤 at D
where D is the midpoint of BC.
 Now the system is equivalent to 𝑤 at A and 2𝑤 at D.
 The weights 𝑤 at A and 2𝑤 at D are equivalent to 3𝑤
at G.
 Hence centre of gravity of this system is the
intersection point of the medians.
 The centre of gravity of any uniform triangular
lamina is the same as that of three equal particles
placed at the vertices of the triangle.
12 Center of gravity of uniform bodies…

Centre of gravity of a uniform parallelogram lamina.

 Centre of gravity of a parallelogram lamina is the intersection point of the
diagonals.
13 Example 01
 One side of a rectangle is twice of the other. On the longer side, an
equilateral triangle is placed. Find the centre of gravity of the lamina
formed by the rectangle and the triangle. Assume uniform equal
density for both parts. Small side of the rectangle is 𝑎.

 Solution:
 𝐴𝐵 = 𝑎 𝐴𝐸 = 2𝑎
 By symmetry, the center of gravity lies on MC.
 M is the mid point of AE.
 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 = 2𝑎2
 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝐶𝐷 = 3𝑎2
14
Example 01…
 Let 𝜌 be the density of the lamina.

Lamina Weight Center of gravity from M along MC

𝑎
𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 2𝑎2 𝜌
2
𝐵𝐷𝐶 1
3𝑎2 𝜌 𝑎+ 3𝑎
3
𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷𝐸 2 + 3 𝑎2 𝜌 𝑥ҧ

 Taking moments about AE.

𝑎 1
 2 + 3 𝑎2 𝜌𝑥ҧ = 2𝑎2 𝜌 2 + 3𝑎2 𝜌 𝑎 + 3 3𝑎
𝑎 1
 2 + 3 𝑥ҧ = 2 + 3 𝑎 + 3𝑎
2 3

 𝑥ҧ = 𝑎
 Hence centre of gravity is N , midpoint of BD.
 Example 02
15
 The figure shows a uniform lamina ABCDE where ABDE is a rectangle and BCD is a
right-angled triangle. Find the centre of gravity of the above lamina. If this lamina
is suspended from C, find the angle between CE and the vertical.
 Solution:
 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 = 15 × 12 = 180 𝑐𝑚2
1
 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝐶𝐷 = × 12 × 6 = 36 𝑐𝑚2
2

 Let 𝜌 be the density

Lamina Weight Distance of center of gravity

From AE From AB
𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 180𝜌 7.5 𝑐𝑚 6 𝑐𝑚
1 2
𝐵𝐶𝐷 36𝜌 15 + × 6 = 17𝑐𝑚
3
× 12 = 8 𝑐𝑚
3
𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐸 216𝜌 𝑥ҧ 𝑦ത
16
Example 02…

 Taking moment about AE

15
 216𝜌𝑥ҧ = 180𝜌 × + 36𝜌 × 17
2

 12𝑥ҧ = 75 + 34
109
 𝑥ҧ = 𝑐𝑚 = 9.08 𝑐𝑚
12

 Taking moment about AB

 216𝜌𝑦ത = 180𝜌 × 6 + 36𝜌 × 8
 12𝑦ത = 60 + 16
19
 𝑦ത = 𝑐𝑚 = 6.33 𝑐𝑚
3

 Centre of gravity is at the distance 9.08 𝑐𝑚 from AE and 6.33 𝑐𝑚 from AB.
17 Example 02…

 When the lamina hangs freely from C, CG is vertical.

𝑀𝐺
 tan 𝜃 =
𝐶𝑀
12−𝑦ത
 tan 𝜃 =
21−𝑥ҧ
5.67
 tan 𝜃 =
11.92

 tan 𝜃 = 0.4757
 𝜃 = tan−1 0.4757
 𝜃 = 25.440
18
Example 03
𝑟
 A uniform circular disc of radius is cut off from a circle of a radius 𝑟 of the disc as
2
diameter. Find the centre of gravity of the remainder.

 Solution:
 Let AB be the diameter of the circular disc and O its centre.
 Let O´ be the centre of the disc described on AO as diameter and 𝜌 be the density.
 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑘 = 𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌
𝑟 2 1
 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑘 = 𝜋 𝜌 = 4 𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌
2

 Let G be the centre of gravity of the remainder.

 By symmetry centre of gravity of the remainder lies on AB.
19 Example 03…

 Taking moment about AY.

1 1
 𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌 − 𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌 𝐴𝐺 = 𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌 × 𝐴𝑂 − 𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌 × 𝐴𝑂′
4 4
1 𝑟
𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌𝑟−4𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌2
 𝐴𝐺 = 3
4
𝜋𝑟 2 𝜌
7
𝑟
 𝐴𝐺 = 8
3
4
7
 𝐴𝐺 = 𝑟
6
7
 The distance of the centre of gravity of the remainder is 𝑟 from A.
6
20

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