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Physics Tutorial 6.2 - Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects

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There are 4 lessons in this physics tutorial covering Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects. The tutorial starts with an introduction to Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects and is then followed with a list of the separate lessons, the tutorial is designed to be read in order but you can skip to a specific lesson or return to recover a specific physics lesson as required to build your physics knowledge of Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects. you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.

In this Physics tutorial, you will learn:

  • How to determine the centre of mass position for a non-homogenous object
  • The same for a system of collinear distant objects
  • How to find the centre of mass of a system composed by three or more objects using coordinates

Introduction

In the previous tutorial, "Centre of Mass. Types of Equilibrium", we discussed in general about centre of mass for a single object and on how to determine it experimentally. The only case in which we can find mathematically the centre of mass making use only of the information provided in the previous tutorial, is when the object is regular and homogenous.

Now, we will explain how to determine mathematically the centre of mass in irregular objects. Furthermore, we will also explain how to calculate the centre of mass in systems composed by more than one object, whether attached or detached.

Please select a specific "Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects" lesson from the table below, review the video tutorial, print the revision notes or use the practice question to improve your knowledge of this physics topic.

Centre of Mass and Linear Momentum Learning Material
Tutorial IDPhysics Tutorial TitleTutorialVideo
Tutorial
Revision
Notes
Revision
Questions
6.2Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects
Lesson IDPhysics Lesson TitleLessonVideo
Lesson
6.2.1Centre of Mass of a Regular Non-Homogenous Object
6.2.2Centre of Mass of a System Composed by Two or More Distant Objects
6.2.3Centre of Mass of Three Collinear Objects
6.2.4Centre of Mass of Three non-Collinear Objects

Whats next?

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  2. Centre of Mass and Linear Momentum Revision Notes: Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects. Print the notes so you can revise the key points covered in the physics tutorial for Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects
  3. Centre of Mass and Linear Momentum Practice Questions: Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects. Test and improve your knowledge of Determining the Centre of Mass in Objects and Systems of Objects with example questins and answers
  4. Check your calculations for Centre of Mass and Linear Momentum questions with our excellent Centre of Mass and Linear Momentum calculators which contain full equations and calculations clearly displayed line by line. See the Centre of Mass and Linear Momentum Calculators by iCalculator™ below.
  5. Continuing learning centre of mass and linear momentum - read our next physics tutorial: Newton's Second Law for System of Particles

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