Definition

• The Centre of Gravity (C.G.) of a body is the

point through which the whole weight of the
body seems to act

• For a regular object, the C.G is always at the

centre
We can think of the uniform bar as being made up of a lot of tiny
particles. Each particle will have a force of gravity pulling it
downwards. (weight) The bar will balance at one particular point, P,
where the sum of all the clockwise moments of the individual forces
is equal to the sum of all the anticlockwise moments of the individual
forces.
The effect will be the same as if we had a single force acting
downwards at P. So we can think of the gravitational force on the bar
as a single force acting downwards at P.

The point, P, is called the centre of gravity of the bar

 Center of Gravity of a 2D Body
• Center of gravity of a plate

M y xW  xW
  xdW

M x yW  yW
  ydW
5-5
 Centroids of Common Shapes of Areas

5 - 10
 Centroids of Common Shapes of Lines

5 - 11
Find cg of T section
A thin, homogeneous wire is bent to form the
perimeter of the figure indicated. Locate the center of
gravity of the wire figure thus formed.
Locate the center of
gravity of the plane figure thus formed.