Centre of gravity — A/L Combined Mathematics

A. Centre of Gravity (CG) Definition: The Centre of Gravity (CG) of a body is the single point where the entire weight of the body appears to act. Explanation: Every particle in a body experiences a gravitational force (its weight). The Centre of Gravity is the effective point where the resultant of all these parallel gravitational forces acts. If you support a body at its CG, it will remain balanced in any orientation, as if all its mass were concentrated at that single point. This concept is crucial for understanding how objects balance and move under gravity. Think of it as: Imagine trying to balance a complex sculpture on your fingertip. The specific point where you can perfectly balance it, regardless of its orientation, is its Centre of Gravity. It's like finding the 'sweet spot' for balance. Real-world application: Engineers use the concept of CG when designing vehicles like cars, airplanes, and ships. A lower CG generally leads to greater stability, which is why sports cars are built low to the ground to prevent rolling over during turns.