centre of mass
Quick Summary
The center of mass is a physics concept representing the point where an object's entire mass can be considered concentrated. This idea is useful for understanding the motion of complex bodies or systems of particles.12
For symmetrical objects like spheres, the center of mass is at the geometric center. For irregular shapes or systems, it might be external to the physical material. In a uniform gravitational field, the center of mass is the same as the center of gravity.23
The center of mass is crucial in mechanics, allowing complex systems to be analyzed as if they were single particles located at this point. It's also used to define a frame of reference where the center of mass is at rest. In geometry, the term centroid is used for the center of mass of a two-dimensional figure or three-dimensional solid.245
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
