CENTER OF GRAVITYMatt Quirk

What is it?

Point at the center of an object’s weight distribution, where the force of gravity can be considered to act

Stability depends on the location of the center of gravity

Example

Baseball bat A baseball follows a smooth parabolic path Baseball bat does not, wobbles Point however stays on parbolic path even

though rest of bat does not Motion of bat is sum of two motions:

a spin around the point Movement through the air where all the weight is

concentrated at one point. This is the center of gravity.

Example Continued

Center of gravity of an object is the point located at the object’s average position of weight On a baseball bat, more weight at one end

than the other – heavier end Objects made out of different materials have a

different center of gravity Ex. Baton – heavier on one side

Question

Why is the Center of Gravity of a baseball bat not at its midpoint?

Anwser

A baseball bat is heavier at one end than the other so therefore, the center of gravity will be closer to one end of the baseball bat.