Where is the Center of Mass of a Doughnut Located?

AI Thread Summary
The center of mass of a doughnut is located in the center of the doughnut's hole, despite there being no mass at that point. This is because the center of mass represents the average position of all the mass in an object, and for an idealized doughnut, this point is in the air at the center. The discussion emphasizes that the center of mass does not need to correspond to a physical point of mass. Understanding this concept may require further investigation into resources that explain the center of mass in more detail. The clarification highlights the distinction between physical mass distribution and the theoretical center of mass.
rmarkatos
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I really don't understand the concept of center of mass but i have a conceptual question that i am really not sure about.

Where would you expect the center of mass of a doughnot to be located? Why?

I mean gut instinct would tell me the center of the doughnut but there is no mass located there so i really need someone to help explain this to me.
 
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yeah i figured that but what does the center of mass that center of mass is located at that spot because i really am not clear on the whole center of mass idea
 
sorry a few typos in the last post but i was saying that what exactly explains the fact the center of mass of a doughnot is located in the middle because i don't understand center of mass
 
rmarkatos said:
yeah i figured that but what does the center of mass that center of mass is located at that spot because i really am not clear on the whole center of mass idea

Then you should investigate these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass"
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cm.html"
 
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