Center of gravity determination?

Question

how can you locate the center of gravity of a ring?

how can you locate the center of gravity of an irregular shape object?

Answer 1

In a conservative gravitational field, like the Earth's, the centre of gravity and the centre of mass are the same. In the case of a symmetric ring (or a torus) this would be the centre of the ring; the centre of gravity does not always lie inside the associated body. For irregular objects check out:

http://dev.physicslab.org/Document.aspx?...

Or, mathematically,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_m...

http://library.thinkquest.org/C006300/da...

In practice numerical methods rather than algebraic ones are used to determine such things, e.g., the Space Shuttle.

Answer 2

center of gravity of a ring is center of ring

Answer 3

This three step procedure will help you find the center of gravity for any object. Suspend, and hang the object from any point on its surface. The center of gravity will be directly below the point of suspension. Second, repeat the first step from a different point. Third, repeat the process again from another point.

Where the extension of the lines directly below the points of suspension intersect identifies the center of gravity.

No weird math, or vocabulary, needed here; just a little thought did it.

Answer 4

This is a topic in Integral Calculus. I suggest you get hold of a book in Integral Calculus and you will find how the center of gravity is derived.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, there's a general formula which applies to all the shapes, including irregular ones. It is is not complicated at all, but it is much easier for you to look it up than for me to provide it here. However, in the case of a symmetrical object such as a ring the centre of gravity is the geometric centre.