How to Calculate Center of Gravity - wikiHow Page 1 of 2

the how to manual that you can edit

How to Calculate Center of Gravity

The center of gravity (CG) is the center of an object's weight
distribution, where the force of gravity can be considered to act. It
is the point in any object about which it is in perfect balance no
matter how it is turned or rotated around that point. For a finite set
of point masses, CG may be defined as the average of positions
weighted by mass. That is, the (Sum of mass*position)/(Sum of
mass).

Seesaws use the concept of

a center of gravity to work.

Steps

Calculate the weight of the basic object. Let's use the

1 example of two kids on a see-saw. The see-saw by itself
weighs 30lbs. Since the see-saw is a symmetrical object,
the CG of the empty see-saw will be exactly in the center
of symmetry.

A see-saw

Calculate the additional weights. In the example, assume there are two kids on the see-
2 saw weighing 40lbs and 60lbs.

Choose a starting point. This is called the datum. This point is arbitrarily placed at one
3 end of the see-saw.

Measure the distances from the datum to the center of each object. In the example,
4 you must find the distances to the center of the see-saw and each of the two kids. The see-
saw is 16ft long, so the center is 8ft from the datum. The kids are sitting exactly one foot
from the end on either side, so their distances from the datum are 1ft and 15ft respectively.

Multiply each distance by the respective weight. This gives you the moment for each
5 object. First, the see-saw: 30lb * 8ft = 240ft*lb. The first kid: 40lb * 1ft = 40ft*lb.
And the second kid: 60lb * 15ft = 900ft*lb. Add the moments to get 1180ft*lb for the
total moment.

Add the weights of all the objects. The sum of the weights are 30lbs + 40lbs +
6 60lbs = 130lbs.

Divide the total moment by the total weight. 1180ft*lb / 130lb = 9.08ft. This is the
7 distance from the datum to the center of gravity.

Arithmetic Steps

When trying to calculate the coordinates of the Center of Gravity for a 2-dimensional surface,
consider x and y as an orthonormal system where the studied surface lies. X is considered the
abscissa of the CG, while Y is its ordinate. The integral is conducted over all the domain, but the

http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Center-of-Gravity 13-05-2011
How to Calculate Center of Gravity - wikiHow Page 2 of 2

indefinite integral is shown below. When calculating the CG, remember to use the definite integrals
with the domain of existence.

X=(∫xydx)/(∫ydx)

Y=(∫yydx)/(∫ydx)

Tips

To find the distance a person needs to move to balance the see-saw over the fulcrum, use the
formula: (weight moved) / (total weight) = (distance CG moves) / (distance
weight is moved). This formula can be rewritten to show that the distance the weight
(person) needs to move equals the distance between the CG and the fulcrum times the weight
of the person divided by the total weight. So the first kid needs to move -1.08ft * 40lb /
130lbs = -.33ft or -4in. (toward the edge of the see-saw).

To find the CG of a two dimensional object, use the formula Xcg = ∑xW/∑W to find the CG
along the x-axis and Ycg = ∑yW/∑W to find the CG along the y-axis. The point at which they
intersect is the center of gravity.

The definition for center of gravity of a general mass distribution is (∫ r dW/∫ dW) where dW is
the differential of weight, r the position vector and the integrals are to be interpreted as Stieltjes
integrals over the entire body. They can however be expressed as more conventional Riemann
or Lebesgue volume integrals for distributions that admit a density function. Starting with this
definition all properties of CG including the ones used in this article may be derived from
properties of Stieltjes integrals.

Warnings

Trying to blindly apply this mechanical technique without understanding the theory may result in
errors! Understand the laws/theories behind it first!

Related wikiHows

How to Calculate the Center of Gravity of a Prism

How to Talk About Microgravity
How to Calculate Escape Velocity
How to Calculate the Distance from Lightning
How to Calculate Distance to the Horizon
How to Calculate Pi by Throwing Frozen Hot Dogs
How to Calculate the Day of Any Date if You Know the Day of the Week, Month and Year
How to Calculate Stability of a Model Rocket
How to Appreciate Inorganic Matter

[the point throug which, the whole weight of the body acts, irrespective of the position of the body is
known as centre of gravity

http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Center-of-Gravity 13-05-2011