Definition:Center of Gravity

Definition

Let $B$ be a body.

The center of gravity of $B$ is that point through which the resultant of the system of parallel forces formed by the weights of all the particles constituting $B$ passes for all positions of $B$.

Also see

• Center of Gravity in Uniform Gravitational Field is Center of Mass

• Results about centers of gravity can be found here.

Historical Note

The concept of the center of gravity of a body originated with Archimedes of Syracuse.

He subsequently found the centers of gravity of a number of geometric figures, both plane and solid.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): centre of gravity
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): centre of gravity