Does Uniform Gravity Equate the Center of Mass with the Center of Gravity?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
member 608465

Homework Statement


I wanted a proof that an object's center of gravity is the same as the center of mass by breaking the object into tiny pieces and then integrating over them.

Homework Equations


Well, the gravitational equation g=Gm1m2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried using some calc three to integrate a uniform sphere using spherical shells. However, my answer wasn't working out and I would like a much more general proof.

Well, I just learned that the center of mass is different from the center of gravity of Earth because the gravitational field isn't uniform. Assuming gravity is uniform, how can we prove that the sum of all of the gravities are as gravity as a whole were acting on its center of mass?
coolbob13579@gmail.com
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Steve Cox said:
the center of mass is different from the center of gravity of earth
The centre of mass of a body is different from its centre of gravity in a non-uniform field. I don't know why you wrote "of earth" at the end. If Earth is the body, is it the sun's field?
Steve Cox said:
Assuming gravity is uniform, how can we prove that the sum of all of the gravities are as gravity as a whole were acting on its center of mass?
You would need to show that there is no net torque about the mass centre. It is not difficult.
 
2
Steve Cox said:

Homework Statement


I wanted a proof that an object's center of gravity is the same as the center of mass by breaking the object into tiny pieces and then integrating over them.

Homework Equations


Well, the gravitational equation g=Gm1m2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried using some calc three to integrate a uniform sphere using spherical shells. However, my answer wasn't working out and I would like a much more general proof.

Well, I just learned that the center of mass is different from the center of gravity of Earth because the gravitational field isn't uniform. Assuming gravity is uniform, how can we prove that the sum of all of the gravities are as gravity as a whole were acting on its center of mass?
coolbob13579@gmail.com
The 'gravitational equation is F = Gm1m2/r^2