Center of Gravity (CG)

• Center of Gravity is a concept where in it is assumed

that the weight of a given body is concentrated at a
point and the entire weight of the body acting through
this point.
• The concept of CG is used for making stable structures
like pyramids, Taj Mahal, aero plane, maneuverable
vehicles, etc.
• In some applications, it becomes necessary to keep
the center of gravity away from the center of body
because in such situations CG helps in carrying out a
specified job. e.g. railway gate at crossing.
• It is defined as a point about which the entire
weight of the body is assumed to be concentrated
and is attracted towards the center of Earth.
Examples
Examples
 Basic Definitions
• Centroid: (Geometric Center) It is defined as a point about which the entire line, area or
volume of a body is assumed to be concentrated.
• It is hypothetical concept and used for calculating CG of figures. Here, weight factor does not
come into picture for linear elements like line, arc, etc.; planar elements like square, circle,
triangle, etc.
• Most of the bodies used in engineering field are homogeneous (with constant density) and
isotropic in nature, centroid calculated serves as the point of centre of gravity of body.
• Center of Mass: It is defined as the point above which the entire mass of the body is
assumed to be concentrated. If a body is homogeneous and isotropic in nature, centre
of gravity and centre of mass would be same point.
• Axis of Symmetry: It is defined as the axis about which if the given figure is folded, then
one portion exactly superimposes the other portion. Ex. Circle, Square, Rectangle,
Semicircle, etc.
 Centroid / Center of Mass / Center of Gravity

In general when density

of material is uniform
through the body the
positions of centroid and
center of mass are
identical. If density varies
these two points will not
coincide.
 Locating the Center of Gravity
• The center of gravity of a uniform object is at the midpoint, its geometric center.
• Supporting that single point supports the whole object.
• The CG of an object may be located where no actual material exists.
 Center of Gravity of a 2D Body
 
• Center of gravity of a plate
Let us consider a body having weight W as shown in Fig.
Divide the body into number of small elements and weights be
These weights act at their CG and coordinates of the CG
are , …, .
Here,
As per Varignon’s law of moments, ‘Moment of a force acting
at a point must be equal to moment of its components about
the same axis’.
Taking moment about Y-axis,
 M y𝑥  x W   xW
  x dW
 M y y W   y W
  y dW
 Center of Mass
m1 x1  m2 x2
"First moment" is the sum of all the moments x
The centroid is m1  m2
 Centroid

• Centroid for multiple points

First
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the
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i i Also
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momentabout
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 mi n
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Total
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• Centroid about x-axis the total mass
i
i 1
10
Center of Volume
Center of Area
Center of Line
C.G. for Some Common Linear Elements
C.G. for Some Common Linear Elements
C.G. for Some Common Linear Elements
C.G. of Some Common Geometries
C.G. of Some Common Geometries
Example
C.G. of a Composite Plate
 Pappus - Guldinus Theorem 1
• This theorem enable us to find out the area of the surfaces generated by revolution of
plane curve about a fixed axis.
• The area of a surface of revolution is equal to the length of the generating curve
multiplied by the distance travelled by the centroid of the generating curve while
the surface is being generated.
 e.g. (1) surface of hollow sphere
generated by rotating a semi-circular
arc about its diameter or axis
Surface area of generated hollow
sphere = length of semicircle X distance
travelled by centroid during one
revolution about axis
=
(2) surface of hollow cone generated by
rotating a straight line about axis
 Pappus - Guldinus Theorem 2
• This theorem enable us to find out the volume of the solid generated by revolution of
plane area about a fixed axis.
• The volume of a body of revolution is equal to the generating plane area multiplied
by the distance travelled by the centroid of the generating plane area while the
body is being generated.

 e.g. (1) solid sphere generated by

rotating a semi-circular plate about its
diameter or axis
Volume of solid sphere = area of
semicircle X
=

(2) Solid cone generated by rotating a

triangular plate about its line or axis.