Centre of Mass

The centre of gravity of a body is the point about which the body is balanced or the point through which the weight of the body acts.

The location of the centre of gravity of a body coincides with the centre of mass of the body when the dimensions of the body are much smaller than those of the earth.

When the density of a body is uniform throughout, the centre of mass and the centroid of the body are at the same point.

• If the centre of mass of a body is not positioned above the area over which it is supported, the body will topple over.
• The lower the centre of mass of a body, the more stable the body.