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 Fundamental:
When we consider the motion of a system of particles, there is one point in it which behaves as though the entire mass of
the system (i.e. the sum of the masses of all the individual particles) is concentrated there and its motion is the same as
would ensue if the resultant of all the forces acting on all the particles were applied directly to it. This point is called the
centre of mass (COM) of the system.

Some important uses of center of mass are:

1. Calculating linear momentum of a system of particles
2. Calculating torque of gravity on a rigid body

NOTE: Center of mass concept cannot be used for every purpose/situation in mechanics.
One very common wrong usage by students is to calculate gravitational field of
rigid objects using CoM (details later)
Position of COM of Two Particles:
Position of COM of a Large Number of Particles:
Position of COM of Continuous Bodies: (Basic idea)
Centre of Mass of a Uniform Rod:
CoM of a uniform mass density arc:
Semi circular ring:
Half disc:
Hollow hemishphere/half shell:
 Solid hemisphere:

element: half shell

 Alternate Solution:

Element: Disc
Hollow Cone:

density: surface mass density

element: ring
 mass density type: volume
Solid Cone: element: disc
 density: sigma
Triangular plate:
element: thin rect. strip
Composite Systems:
Mass removal cases:
Motion of the Center of Mass: