This calculation tool is designed to help you quickly and accurately determine the centre of gravity.
Calculation
Centre of Gravity From a Given Perimeter
This function calculates the centre of gravity of a body given a perimeter, like a triangle.
The centre of gravity is the centre of a circle inside a given triangle ABC, the middle points of the sides of the triangle.
Inputs
Height, h
:3.00m
Distance, a
:10.00m
d=2(a+b+c)h(b+c)
Here are the variables for the equation
d = distance to the geometric centre.
h = perpendicular height of the triangle.
a = side length of the triangle.
b = side length of the triangle.
c = side length of the triangle.
Distance, b
:15.00m
Distance, c
:20.00m
Figure 1: Diagram of the Triangle in Calculating the Centre of Gravity
Output
Centre, d
:1.17meter
Triangle Centre of Gravity Calculation
A simpler calculator is as follows to calculate the centre of gravity of a triangle.
The centre of gravity of a triangle is the intersection of lines BE and AD (as seen in the diagram).
Inputs
Height, h (triangle)
:30.00m
a=3h
Here are the variables for the equation
a = distance to the geometric centre.
h = perpendicular height of the triangle.
Figure 2: Diagram of the Triangle in Calculating the Centre of Gravity
Outputs
Centre, a (triangle)
:10.00meter
Two Bodies Centre of Gravity Calculation
This function calculates the centre of gravity of two separate bodies, as a function of the masses and the distance between the centre of the bodies.
Inputs
Mass, Q
:100.00g
Mass, P
:150.00g
Distance, a (two bodies)
:50.00m
b=P+QQ×a
c=P+QP×a
Here are the variables for the equation
Q, P = the mass. i.e. Q is the body in Figure 1.
a = the distance between the centre point of the two bodies.
Figure 3: Diagram of Two Bodies in Calculating the Centre of Gravity
Outputs
Centre, b (two bodies)
:20.00
Centre, c (two bodies)
:30.00
Explanation
The centre of gravity refers to the point in a body, like a volume, area or line, that would be in balance if it were suspended. In a symmetrical body of a uniform material, the centre of gravity is the geometric centre.
For a parallelogram, the centre of gravity is at the intersection of the diagonals.
For more complex shapes, there are different equations to calculate the centre of gravity of different bodies, like from the perimeter of a triangle and for two bodies.
Related Resources
If you liked this, check out our other articles and resources!