Monday Physics 20th April 2009

Centre of Mass
Regular-Shaped Object
1) For an object (2 dimensional) with regular shaped and uniform density, its centre of
mass will be at the centre of the object.
Examples:
a. A uniform metre rule has its centre of mass at the 50 cm mark and a uniform
half metre rule will have its centre of mass at 25 cm mark.

2) The centre of mass of an object is defined as the point through which the whole
weight of the object will act and the position of centre of mass will remain the same
for all orientations.

3) The centre of mass is the geometrical centre of the object.

4) Point of the centre of mass can lie outside the regular shaped.

Irregular-Shaped Objects
Apparatus needed:
 Paper clip
 Plump line
 Irregular-Shaped Object planar object.

Steps taken to obtain the centre of mass of Irregular-Shaped (planar) object:

1) Puncture 3 small holes at three equally spaced corners of the planar object.
2) Marked “A”, “B” and “C” beside the 3 holes.
3) Hanged the planar object at the hole A.
4) Tie the plump line next to the planar object. Allow the plump line to come to
rest and put a mark A’ on the planar object where the plump line passes through
at the bottom.
5) Repeat step 3 to step 4 for hole B and C.
6) Removed the planar object from the pin and draw straight lines connecting A to
A’, B to B’ and C to C’.
7) The intersecting points of the 3 lines will be the centre of mass of the Irregular-
Shaped Object.

Precautions:
1) Allow the plump line to come to a complete stop before marking on the object.
2) Do not puncture too big a hole onto the planar object as it may affect the
position of the centre of mass.
3) Do not puncture too small a hole such that the planar object cannot swing freely.