Center of Mass & Gravity: Non-Uniform G Field Answered

In summary, the center of mass and center of gravity are often considered the same on Earth for practical purposes. However, in a non-uniform gravitational field, such as near a black hole, the center of mass and center of gravity may be different. The center of mass is where the majority of an object's mass is concentrated, while the center of gravity is where the object can be considered to be balanced for torque calculations.
  • #1
muhammadusman
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give answer to this question
 
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  • #2


Here is a simplified laymanized. answer given to me one time. Often for practical purposes, center of mass and center of gravity are considered the same on "earth".

If you were falling into a "black hole", pull of gravity on your feet may be much stronger than on your midsection. Midsection stays "center of mass". Feet become "center of gravity".

I'm sure you'll get a much better answer from others here.
 
  • #3


center of mass and center of gravity different in non uniform gravitation field?expl

yes.

The center of mass is often called the center of gravity, but this is only true in a system where the gravitational forces are uniform
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass
 
  • #4


u r right but can u tell me that where the gravitaional forces are uniform nd where are these forces nonuniform.
 
  • #5

1. What is the difference between center of mass and center of gravity?

The center of mass refers to the point at which the mass of an object is evenly distributed in all directions. It takes into account the mass and distribution of the object. The center of gravity, on the other hand, refers to the point at which the force of gravity on an object can be considered to act. It takes into account the gravitational pull of nearby objects.

2. How does the center of mass affect the stability of an object?

The lower the center of mass of an object, the more stable it is. This is because a lower center of mass means the object is less likely to tip over due to external forces. This is why objects like tables and chairs have their mass distributed towards the bottom.

3. Can the center of mass of an object be outside of the physical object?

Yes, the center of mass can be outside of the physical object if the object has a non-uniform distribution of mass. This means that the mass is not evenly spread throughout the object, causing the center of mass to be located at a point outside of the physical boundaries of the object.

4. How is the center of mass calculated?

The center of mass can be calculated by dividing the total mass of an object by the sum of the individual masses multiplied by their respective distances from a chosen reference point. This can be represented by the equation: xcm = (m1x1 + m2x2 + ... + mnxn)/(m1 + m2 + ... + mn), where x represents the distance from the reference point and m represents the mass.

5. How does a non-uniform gravitational field affect the center of mass?

In a non-uniform gravitational field, the gravitational force acting on each part of an object may vary. This can cause the center of mass to shift towards the direction of the stronger gravitational pull. This means that the center of mass of an object may not be at the geometric center if the gravitational field is not uniform.

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