AS-Level Maths:

Mechanics 2
for Edexcel

M2.3 Centres of
Mass
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Centres of mass

Contents

Centres of mass
Two dimensions
Equilibrium
Examination-style questions

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Centres of mass
The centre of mass of a body is the point at which the
weight acts.
This point can be located for one, two and three dimensional
objects and composite bodies.
Sometimes the centre of mass of a uniform body can be
found by symmetry.
In general, we use moments to determine the position of the
centre of mass.
The positions of the centres of mass of certain bodies are
given as formulae, which can be applied without working.

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One-dimensional systems
Worked example:
Three masses of m1 kg, m2 kg and m3 kg are attached to a
light rod AB at distances of x1 m, x2 m and x3 m from A.
Find the centre of mass of this system of particles.
Assume that the centre of mass is x m from A and that the
rod is in equilibrium when balanced at this point.

x3

x2

x1
m1

m2

B
m3

x
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One-dimensional systems
The forces can be resolved vertically:
R = m1g + m2g + m3g
Taking moments about A:
m1gx1 + m2gx2 + m3gx3 = R x
m1gx1 + m2gx2 + m3gx3 = (m1g + m2g + m3g) x
m1 x1 m2 x2 m3 x3
Therefore, x
m1 m2 m3

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The weighted mean

The previous result can be extended to the general case.
x is called the weighted mean and enables us to calculate
the position of the centre of mass for a 1-D system.
The formula for the weighted mean is usually written:
mi xi
x
mi

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One-dimensional systems
Example: Four particles of mass 1 kg, 2 kg, 2.5 kg and 3 kg
are attached to a light, rigid, horizontal rod AB of length 2 m.
The particles are attached to the rod as shown in the diagram.
Find the distance of the systems centre of mass from A.
A 0.4
1g

3g

0.6

1
2.5g

B
2g

Find the weighted mean:

1 0 3 0.4 2.5 1 2 2 7.7
x=
=
1 3 2.5 2
8.5
Therefore the centre of mass of the system is
0.906 m (3 s.f.) from A.
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One-dimensional systems

A three-sectioned telescopic aerial is extended horizontally.

The first section is 20 cm in length and has a mass of 100 g,
the second section is 15 cm in length and has a mass of 70 g
and the third section is 10 cm in length with a mass of 40 g.
By modelling each section of the aerial as a uniform rod,
find the centre of mass of this system.

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One-dimensional systems
Since each section of aerial is modelled as a uniform rod, the
weight is taken to act at the centre of each section.
A

10

10
0.1g

7.5

7.5

0.07g

0.04g

Using the weighted mean:

0.1 10 0.07 27.5 0.04 40 4.525

x
0.21
0.1 0.07 0.04
Therefore the centre of mass of the aerial is 21.5 cm (3 s.f)
from A.

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Two dimensions

Contents

Centres of mass
Two dimensions
Equilibrium
Examination-style questions

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Two dimensions
A composite body can be made up of a series of rods or a
series of laminas.
Sometimes the particles of a system are not in a straight
line.
In these cases we can find the centre of mass in terms of
x- and y-coordinates relative to some fixed axes.
The weighted mean is extended to 2-dimensions to give the
coordinates of the centre of mass.
mi xi
x
mi

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mi yi
y
mi

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Symmetry
If a uniform lamina has more than one axis of symmetry, then
the centre of mass is located at the intersection of these axes.
Rectangles, circles, and equilateral triangles are examples of
this kind of lamina.

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Standard results
Standard results for other 2-dimensional shapes can be
found in the formula book.
Their centres of mass are as follows:
Circular arc of radius r and angle 2:
Triangular lamina:

2 along median from vertex

3

Sector of circle, radius r and angle 2:

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r sin
from centre

2r sin
from centre
3

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Two-dimensional systems
Example: Four light rods and three particles are arranged
as shown in the diagram below.
Find the centre of mass of this system.

0.6

B
0.5

1g

2g

0.6
D

1
3g

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Two-dimensional systems
When working in 2-D, it is often helpful to tabulate the
information needed before calculating the weighted means.
The point A is taken to be the origin. The x-coordinates
represent the horizontal distance from A, while the
y-coordinates represent the vertical distance from A.
mass

0.6

0.5

0.5

1 0 2 0.6 3 1 4.2

0.7
x
6
6
1 0.5 2 0.5 3 0 1.5

0.25
y
6
6
Therefore the centre of mass of the system is 0.7 m
from AB and 0.25 m from AD.
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Two-dimensional systems
Example: A uniform lamina is in the shape of the letter L,
with dimensions as shown in the diagram.
Find the centre of mass of this lamina.
0.2

1
0.2
0.5

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Two-dimensional systems
The lamina should be split into two
rectangles enabling each centre of
mass to be found by symmetry.
Since the lamina is uniform the mass
of each rectangle
mass
0.2
0.06
will be proportional
x
0.1
0.35
to its area.
y

0.5

0.1

C
1

0.2
0.8
0.3
0.2

0.5

0.2 0.1 0.06 0.35 0.041

x
0.158 (3 s.f.)
0.26
0.26
0.2 0.5 0.06 0.1 0.106
y

0.408 (3 s.f.)
0.26
0.26
Therefore the centre of mass of the L shape lamina is
0.158 m (3 s.f.) from AC and 0.408 m (3 s.f.) from AB.
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Two-dimensional systems
Find the centre of mass of the uniform lamina shown below.
C
0.5
A

1.5

This is a composite body made up of a rectangle and a

semi-circle.
It is first necessary to find the centre of mass of these two
components.
Again, since the lamina is uniform the mass of each
component will be proportional to its area.
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Two-dimensional systems
The centre of mass of the rectangular component, by
symmetry, is 0.75 m from AC and 0.25 m from AB.
The centre of mass of the semi-circular component is found
from the standard result for the centre of mass of a sector of a
circle.
2r sin
For a sector of radius r and angle 2 :
from the centre.
3
Here, r = 0.25 m and 2 = .
The centre of mass =

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2 0.25 sin 2
3
2

1
=
3

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Two-dimensional systems
Area of rectangle = 0.5 1.5 = 0.75
Area of semi-circle = 0.252 = 0.03125

mass 0.75

0.03125

0.75

0.25

1.5 + 3
0.25

0.75 0.75 0.03125 1.5 31

0.75 0.03125

= 0.849 (3 s.f.)

0.75 0.25 0.03125 0.25

y
= 0.25
0.75 0.03125
Therefore the centre of mass of the lamina is 0.849 m (3 s.f.)
from AC and 0.25 m from AB.
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Equilibrium

Contents

Centres of mass
Two dimensions
Equilibrium
Examination-style questions

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Equilibrium
A lamina suspended from a point is in equilibrium if its centre
of mass is directly below the point from which it is suspended.

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Equilibrium
A uniform rectangular lamina of length 1 m and width 0.6 m is
suspended from a point on its length as shown in the
diagram.
Find the angle between BC and the vertical when the lamina
is in equilibrium.

0.8

0.2
E

0.6
A

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Equilibrium
The lamina is in equilibrium when
the centre of mass, G, is directly
below E, as shown in the diagram.
Use the following triangle to find
the angle between BC and the
vertical.
E
0.3
X

0.8

E
G

0.6

D
1

0 .3
tan
1
0 .3
= 45

0.3
G

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0.2

Therefore the lamina is suspended in

equilibrium when the angle between BC
and the vertical is 45.
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Equilibrium
A uniform lamina is in the shape of the letter C, as shown
below.
a) Find the centre of mass of this system.
b) Find the position in which this system hangs if it is
suspended from B.
B

0.7

C
0.2
D

E
1

0.6
F
A

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0.5

G
0.2
H
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Equilibrium
The centre of mass is found by
splitting the lamina into three
rectangles.
mass

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.45

0.1

0.45

0.9

0.5

0.1

0.7

C
0.2

E
1

0.6
F

0.5 G
0.2
H

0.1 0.45 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.45 0.11

x

0.275
0.4
0.4
0.1 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2
y

0.5
0.4
0.4
Therefore the centre of mass of the lamina is
0.275 m from AB and 0.5 m from AH.
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Equilibrium
The centre of mass, M, is marked
on the diagram. The lamina is in
equilibrium when suspended from
B if M is directly below B and
hence BM is vertical.
B

C
D

E
M
F

0.275
0.5
M

0 .5
tan
0.275

= 61.2 (3 s.f.)

G
H
Vertical

Therefore the angle between BC and the

vertical when the lamina is suspended in
equilibrium from B is 61.2.
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Equilibrium on an inclined plane

A lamina resting on an inclined plane will be in equilibrium
if the line of action of the weight lies within the side of the
lamina in contact with the plane.
If the line of action of the weight falls beyond the side of the
lamina in contact with the plane, the lamina will topple.
The line of action of the weight is shown
and is clearly within the side of the
lamina that is in contact with the plane.
The lamina is in equilibrium.
The line of action of the weight is clearly
beyond the side of the lamina that is in
contact with the plane. The lamina will
topple.
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Equilibrium on an inclined plane

A rectangular lamina ABCD has AB = 40 cm and AD = 30 cm.
The lamina is resting on its shorter side on a plane inclined at
an angle of to the horizontal.
What is the maximum value of for which the lamina will
remain in equilibrium?

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Equilibrium on an inclined plane

The lamina is in equilibrium until the
line of action of the weight acts at
the last point of contact with the
plane (as shown in the diagram).
30
tan =
40

30

40

= 36.9 (3 s.f.)
Therefore the maximum angle of inclination that can be
achieved before the lamina topples (equilibrium is broken)
is 36.9.

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Examination-style questions

Contents

Centres of mass
Two dimensions
Equilibrium
Examination-style questions

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Exam question 1
A uniform plane lamina is in the shape of a square next to a
rectangle. The length of a side of the square is x cm and the
rectangle is 2x cm by 2x cm.
Find the distance of the centre of mass of this lamina from A in
terms of x.

x
A

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x
2

2x

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Exam question 1
Area of square = x2
Area of rectangle = x2
The centre of mass of both the square and the rectangle are
found by symmetry.
mass
x
y

x 2 2x x 2 2 x

2 x2

x2
x
2
x
2

x2
2x
x
4

x2 x x2 x 3 x
2
4
y
8
2x2

5x

4
2

109
25 x 2 9 x 2
5 x 3 x
Distance

8
16
64
4 8
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Exam question 2
A uniform rectangular lamina ABCD has a circular hole cut out
of it. The rectangle has length 80 cm and width 40 cm and the
radius of the circle is 10 cm.
The centre of the circle is 20 cm from both AB and AD.
Find the centre of mass of this lamina.
B

40

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20

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Exam question 2
To find the centre of mass of this lamina consider the circle,
the rectangle and the given lamina separately.
Area of rectangle = 3200 cm2
Area of circle = 100 cm2
Area of lamina = 3200 100 cm2
The centre of mass of the rectangle is 40 cm from AB and 20
cm from AD.
The centre of mass of the circle is 20 cm from both AB and AD.

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circle

lamina

rectangle

mass

100

3200100

3200

20

40

20

x
y

20
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Exam question 2
Forming an equation for x :
100 20 3200 100 x 3200 40
3200 40 100 20
x =
= 42.177 (5 s.f.)
3200 100
Forming an equation for y:

100 20 3200 100 y 3200 20

y

3200 20 100 20
= 20
3200 100

Therefore the centre of mass of the lamina is 42.2 cm from AB

and 20 cm from AD.

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