UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
APPLIED MECHANICS I (STATICS) – GROUP 2
MEC 1114
CENTER OF GRAVITY LAB#1

GROUP #8
GROUP MEMBERS
Amit Singh
Edwin Nurse
Nada Lackna
Osmond Ward
Peter Simon
Reagan O'selmo
Reaz Khan
Shemar Lanferman
Shyrec Singh

Date Lab was Conducted: (2022/11/04)

Date of Submission of Report: (2022/11/18)

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 Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................3
THEORY.............................................................................................................................................4
MEASUREMENT METHODS..........................................................................................................5
Part A....................................................................................................................................................5
Part B.....................................................................................................................................................5
ANALYSIS AND RESULTS..............................................................................................................6
Center of Gravity by Calculation...................................................................................................6
Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method .......................................................................................8
Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates.................................................................................8
Semi Circle.........................................................................................................................................9
Right angle triangle..........................................................................................................................11
Hexagon...........................................................................................................................................13
Circle................................................................................................................................................19
Rectangle.........................................................................................................................................20
Discussion........................................................................................................................................22
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION...............................................................................................23
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................24
Participation Page................................................................................................................................25

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 INTRODUCTION

The center of gravity of an object is the point through which the weight of the object acts; the
body will always balance around this point (Byju’s Learning). This lab experiment used the
plummet and a simple drawing method to locate the center of gravity of various shapes. The
two approaches' accuracy in locating the center of gravity was to be compared. Their centers
of gravity were calculated using a variety of forms.

The body's geometric center of regular shapes may be in alignment with the gravitational
axis. The center of gravity of an irregular object, on the other hand, is likely to be situated
some distance from the geometric center due to its disparate masses. The center of gravity of
bodies with irregular shapes is located outside of the actual physical object. The center of
gravity is the location at which an object balances when it is supported by a string or an edge.
There is a formula that can be used to determine an object's center of gravity when its mass is
not uniform.

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 THEORY
A body's center of gravity is where all of its weight is concentrated. This point could be
inside the body or outside it. In our daily lives, knowing where an object's center of gravity is
crucial. With a gravitational force known as weight, the earth pulls each individual particle of
an object downward. In general, pinpointing the center of gravity is a challenging process
since the mass and weight of the object may not be evenly distributed. The issue is
substantially simplified if the mass is spread equally. The center of gravity is located on the
line of symmetry if the item has one (Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia). The center
of gravity of regular-shaped bodies is located there. The balancing method can be used to find
the center of gravity of irregularly long bodies, whereas two or more plumb lines from
various points of suspension can be used to find the center of gravity of irregularly flat bodies
(such as a piece of board). The center of gravity refers to the relationship between the shape
and the plumb line.

Circle
The center of gravity of a circle lies at the center of the circle or at the mid-point. The radius
of the circle is measure of its center of gravity.
G – center of gravity G=r
r – radius of the circle

Image showing an example of center of gravity of a regular shape (circle)

Triangle
The center of gravity of a triangle lies at a point where the three medians of the triangle
intersect
G = h/3

4
 Image showing an example of the center of gravity of a regular shape (triangle)

MEASUREMENT METHODS

Materials/Apparatus
1. Regular shapes (circle, semi-circle, rectangle, triangle)
2. Irregular shapes (L – shape (gnomons), hexagon)
3. Suspension board
4. Plumb bob with string
5. Marker
6. Ruler
Part A
A suction cup on the work panel was used to hold one of the six shapes in place, where it was
free to swing and land in an undisturbed position. The plumb line was then precisely marked
with a marker to show where it draped over the shape's front (top and bottom). This was a
small challenge because the plumb line was not in contact with the shape; any slight contact
could have caused it to shift and produce erroneous markings. The shape was taken out, and
the two marks were connected with a ruler. The steps were then repeated once it was
reattached to the suction cup at a different angle. The intersection of the two lines, marked by
a "x," served as the shape's center of gravity. However, the L shape's center of gravity was not
on the shape itself because the lines did not connect there. The same procedures were done
for each additional shape.

Part B
Half-sized diagrams were utilized to determine each shape's center of gravity for the
straightforward drawing technique. A ruler was used to create lines of symmetry, and the
intersection point was marked with an "x" to indicate the location of the center of gravity. The
regular shapes were created by dividing the irregular shapes, and each regular shape's center
of gravity was then identified. The location where the center of gravity for the overall shape
is located was formed when these centers were connected.

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 ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
L Shape

Center of Gravity by Calculation

S1= ( 182cm , 5 cm
2 )

S1=( 9 cm, 2.5 cm )

(
S2= 18 cm−
5 cm
2
, 5 cm+
20 cm
2 )
S2=( 15.5 cm , 15 cm)

Area of Shape 1=L× W

Areaof Shape 1=18 cm× 5 cm
2
Area of Shape 1=90 cm

Area of Shape 2=L ×W

Area of Shape 2=5 cm× 20 cm

Area of Shape 2=100 cm 2

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 A 1 X 1 + A2 X 2
C . O .G for x=
A1 + A2
2 2
90 cm ×9 cm+100 cm × 15.5 cm
C . O .G for x= 2 2
90 cm +100 cm

810 cm3 +1550 cm3

C . O .G for x= 2 2
90 cm +100 cm

2360 cm 3
C . O .G for x=
190 cm 2
C . O .G for x=12.4 cm

A 1 Y 1 + A2 Y 2
C . O .G for y=
A1 + A2
2 2
90 cm × 2.5 cm+100 cm × 15 cm
C . O .G for y= 2 2
90 cm +100 cm

225 cm3 +1500 cm3

C . O .G for y=
90 cm 2+100 cm2
3
1725 cm
C . O .G for y= 2
190 cm
C . O .G for y=9.1 cm

C . O .G of Shape=12.4 cm, 9.1 cm

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Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method

C . O .G of Shape using Plumbline=12.1 cm , 8.8 cm

Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates

Difference=( x1 −x2 ) , ( y 1− y 2 )

Difference=( 12.4 cm−12.1 cm ) ,( 9.1 cm−8.8 cm)

Difference=0.3 cm, 0.3 cm

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Semi-Circle

Center of Gravity by Calculation

4r
Center of Gravity=r ,
3π
4 (10 cm)
Center of Gravity=10 cm,
3π
40 cm
Center of Gravity=10 cm,
3π
Center of Gravity=10 cm , 4.2cm

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Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method

C . O .G of Shape using Plumbline=10 cm , 4.2 cm

Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates

Difference=( x1 −x2 ) , ( y 1− y 2 )

Difference=( 10 cm−10 cm ) ,(4.2 cm−4.2 cm)

Difference=0 cm, 0 cm

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Right angle triangle

Center of Gravity by Calculation

1 1
Center of Gravity= ( X a+ X b + X c ) , ( Y a +Y b +Y c )
3 3
1 1
Center of Gravity= ( 0 cm+14 cm+14 cm ) , ( 0 cm+ 0 cm+ 24 cm )
3 3
1 1
Center of Gravity= ( 28 cm ) , ( 24 cm )
3 3
Center of Gravity=9.3 cm , 8 cm

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Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method

C . O .G of Shape using Plumbline=8.9 cm, 6.8 cm

Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates

Difference=( x1 −x2 ) , ( y 1− y 2 )

Difference=( 9.3 cm−8.9 cm ) ,(8 cm−6.8 cm)

Difference=0.4 cm ,1.2 cm

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Hexagon

Center of Gravity by Calculation

Area of Shape 1=√ s ( s−a)(s−b)(s−c )

a+ f + e
s=
2
8 cm+23 cm+18 cm
s=
2
49 cm
s=
2
s=24.5 cm
Area=√ 24.5 cm(24.5 cm−8 cm)(24.5 cm−23 cm)(24.5 cm−18 cm)

Area=√ 24.5 cm(16.5 cm)(1.5 cm)(6.5 cm)

Area=√3941.4 cm
4

2
Area=62.8 cm

Area of Shape 2=√ s ( s−a)(s−b)(s−c )

c +d + e
s=
2
12 cm+ 17.5 cm+10 cm
s=
2
39.5 cm
s=
2
s=19.75 cm

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14
Area=√19.75 cm(19.75 cm−12 cm)(19.75 cm−17.5 cm)(19.75 cm−10 cm)

Area=√ 19.75 cm(7.75 cm)(2.25 cm)(9.75 cm)

Area=√ 3357.81 cm
4

2
Area=57.9 cm

Area of Shape 3=√ s( s−a)( s−b)(s−c )

a+b+c
s=
2
8 cm+22 cm+15 cm
s=
2
45 cm
s=
2
s=22.5 cm
Area=√ 22.5 cm(22.5 cm−8 cm)(22.5 cm−22cm)(22.5 cm−15 cm)

Area=√ 22.5 cm(14.5 cm)(0.5 cm)(7.5 cm)

Area=√1223.4 cm4

Area=34.8 cm 2

Area of Shape 4=√ s (s−a)(s−b)(s−c )

a+ e+ c
s=
2
17.5 cm+22 cm+ 23 cm
s=
2
62.5 cm
s=
2
s=31.25 cm
Area=√31.25 cm(31.25 cm−17.5 cm )(31.25 cm−22 cm)(31.25 cm−23 cm)

Area=√31.25 cm(13.75 cm)(9.25 cm)(8.5 cm)

Area=√32790.5 cm4

Area=181.1cm 2

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Area of Shape 5=πr 2
Area of Shape 5=π ×1.5 cm2
2
Area of Shape 5=7.1 cm

Coordinates of the Hexagon

Distance Angle Corrected Angle Coordinates Corrected Coordinates
Line
(cm) (Degrees) (Degrees) X Y X Y
AB 15 77° 77° 3.374 -14.616 3.4 -14.6

77° + 180 = 257

BC 8.00 145° 257 + 145 = 402 5.945 -5.353 9.3 -20.0
402 -360 = 42
42 + 180 = 222
CD 10 134° 9.975 0.697 19.3 -19.3
222 + 134 = 356
356 - 180 = 176
DE 12 105° 2.280 11.779 21.6 -7.5
176 + 105 = 281
281 - 180 = 101
EF 8 143° -3.607 7.500 18.0 0.0
101 + 143 = 244
244 - 180 = 64
FA 18 116° -18.000 0.000 0.0 0.0
64 + 116 = 180

Coordinates of the ¿˚ 3.62 cm, 5.31 cm

1 1
C . O .G of Shape 1= ( X a+ X b + X c ) , ( Y a +Y b +Y c )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 1= ( 0 cm+21.6 cm +18 cm ) , ( 0 cm+−7.5 cm+0 cm )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 1= ( 39.6 cm ) , (−7.5 cm )
3 3
C . O .G of Shape 1=13.2 cm,−2.5 cm

1 1
C . O .G of Shape 2= ( X a+ X b + X c ) , ( Y a +Y b+Y c )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 2= ( 9.3 cm +19.3 cm+ 21.6 cm ) , (−20 cm+−19.3 cm±7.5 cm )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 2= ( 50.2 cm ) , (−46.8 cm )
3 3

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C . O .G of Shape 2=16.7 cm ,−15.6 cm

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 1 1
C . O .G of Shape 3= ( X a + X b + X c ) , ( Y a+Y b +Y c )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 3= ( 0 cm+3.4 cm+ 9.3 cm ) , ( 0 cm+−14.6 cm±20.0 cm )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 3= ( 12.7 cm ) , (−34.6 cm )
3 3
C . O .G of Shape 3=4.2cm ,−11.5 cm

1 1
C . O .G of Shape 4= ( X a+ X b + X c ) , ( Y a +Y b+ Y c )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 4= ( 0 cm+9.3 cm+21.6 cm ) , ( 0 cm+−20 cm±7.5 cm )
3 3
1 1
C . O .G of Shape 4= ( 30.9 cm ) , (−27.5 cm )
3 3
C . O .G of Shape 4=10.3 cm ,−9.2 cm

C . O .G of Shape 5=Coordinates of the ¿˚ 7.2 cm,−10.6 cm

( A 1 X 1+ A 2 X 2 + A 3 X 3 + A 4 X 4 ) −( A5 X 5 )
C . O .G of X =
( A 1 + A 2 + A 3 + A 4 )− ( A 5 )

2 3
A1 X 1=62.8 cm ∙13.2 cm=828.96 cm

A2 X 2=57.9 cm 2 ∙8.4 cm=486.36 cm3

A3 X 3=34.8 cm2 ∙ 4.2 cm=146.16 cm3

2 3
A 4 X 4=181.1 cm ∙ 10.3 cm=1865.33 cm
2 3
A5 X 5=7.1cm ∙7.2 cm=51.12 cm

( 828.96 cm 3+ 486.36 cm3+ 146.16 cm3+1865.33 cm3 ) −( 51.12 cm3 )

C . O .G of X =
( 62.8 cm 2 +57.9 cm 2+34.8 cm2 +181.1 cm2) −( 7.1 cm2 )
( 3326.81 cm3 )−( 51.12cm3 )
C . O .G of X =
( 336.6 cm2 ) −( 7.1 cm2 )

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 ( 3275.69 cm3 )
C . O .G of X =
( 329.5 cm2 )
C . O .G of X =9.9 cm

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 A 1 Y 1 + A 2 Y 2 + A 3 Y 3 + A 4 Y 4− A5 Y 5
C . O .G of Y =
( A1 + A2 + A3 + A 4 )− ( A 5 )

2 3
A1 Y 1=62.8 cm ∙−2.5 cm=−157 cm
2 3
A2 Y 2=57.9 cm ∙−15.6 cm=−903.24 cm
2 3
A3 Y 3=34.8 cm ∙−11.5 cm=−400.2cm
2 3
A 4 Y 4=181.1 cm ∙−9.2 cm=−1666.12 cm
2 3
A5 Y 5=7.1 cm ∙−10.6 cm=−75.26 cm

(−157 cm3 +−903.24 cm3+−400.2 cm3+−1666.12cm3 )− (−75.26 cm3 )

C . O .G of Y =
( 62.8 cm 2 +57.9 cm2+34.8 cm2 +181.1 cm2) −( 7.1 cm 2 )
(−3126.56 cm3 ) −(−75.26 cm3 )
C . O .G of Y =
( 336.6 cm2 ) −( 7.1 cm2)
(−3051.3 cm3 )
C . O .G of Y =
( 329.5 cm 2 )
C . O .G of Y =−9.3 cm

C . O .G of Hexagon=(9.9 cm ,−9.3 cm)

Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method

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C . O .G of Shape using Plumbline=9.2cm ,−11.5 cm

Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates

Difference=( x1 −x2 ) , ( y 1− y 2 )

Difference=( 9.9 cm−9.2 cm ) ,(−9.3 cm−(−11.5 cm))

Difference=0.7 cm ,−2.2 cm

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Circle

C . O .G of ¿˚ Center of ¿˚ 0 cm, 0 cm

Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method

C . O .G of Shape using Plumbline=0 cm, 0 cm

Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates

Difference=( x1 −x2 ) , ( y 1− y 2 )

Difference=( 0 cm−0 cm ) ,(0 cm−0 cm)

Difference=0 cm, 0 cm

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Rectangle

Center of Gravity by Calculation

S= ( 252cm , 152cm )
S= (12.5 cm, 7.5 cm )

Area of Rectangle=L ×W
Area of Shape 1=25 cm× 15 cm
2
Area of Shape 1=375 cm

A1 X1
C . O .G for x=
A1

375 cm 2 ×12.5 cm
C . O .G for x=
375 cm2
3
4687.5 cm
C . O .G for x= 2
375 cm
C . O .G for x=12.5 cm

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 A1Y 1
C . O .G for y=
A1

375 cm2 ×7.5 cm

C . O .G for y= 2
375 cm
3
2812.5 cm
C . O .G for y=
375 cm2
C . O .G for y=7.5 cm

C . O .G of Shape=12.5 cm , 7.5 cm

Center of Gravity by Plumbline Method

C . O .G of Shape using Plumbline=12.5 cm , 7.6 cm

Difference∈Center of Gravity Coordinates

24
Difference=( x1 −x2 ) , ( y 1− y 2 )

Difference=( 12.5 cm−12.5 cm ) ,(7.5 cm−7.6 cm)

Difference=0 cm,−0.1 cm

Discussion
There is a difference between the acquired from the calculation approach and the
experimental approach (Plumbline approach) due to the fact, the experimental approach has
been affected by environmental impacts and has an effect on its accuracy. The environmental
impacts consist of the friction between our bodies and the plane board, and the friction
between our bodies and the hangout rope will have an effect on our bodies. Moreover, the
human mistake in drawing the direct line at our bodies at some stage could be very ability
dependent.
The common point intersected by the lines drawn in each piece represents the center of
gravity. It is where the weight of an object is more concentrated. This point may not always
be inside the object, it is sometimes located on the outer part. In regular-shaped objects like in
circle, the center of gravity is at its geometric center. The plumb line method is very helpful
in finding the center of gravity in irregular-shaped objects. The balancing method used in the
second part is also an effective method wherein a meter stick balanced itself in the knife-
edge. The balance point depends upon the mass of the load.

25
 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The geometric center of objects with regular shapes serves as their center of gravity. The
plumb-line approach can be used to estimate the centroid of objects with irregular shapes.
The balancing method was also useful in figuring out where an object's center of gravity was
located, whether it had a regular or irregular shape. Both approaches have benefits and
drawbacks, and they produce somewhat different outcomes. This can be attributed to both
inaccurate marking of the shapes as a result of human mistakes and ambient disturbance
during the plunge method, such as air movement between the plane board and item.

An object's weight distribution is centered at its center of gravity, which is the location where
the force of gravity is thought to act. Any object's point of perfect equilibrium, regardless of
how it is turned or rotated around that point, is known as this. Because it doesn't need any
equipment, the computation approach is more accurate and effective. Center of gravity is
crucial in the engineering field to provide a very stable item design. Therefore, it is crucial to
understand the principles of center of gravity, which can only be done in a lab setting. The
laboratory experiment was successful since it showed that the outcomes of the various
methods were different in comparison.

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 REFERENCES

1. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Centre of gravity". Encyclopedia

Britannica, 11 Oct. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/science/centre-of-gravity.
Accessed 18 November 2022. ( this article was most recently revised and updated by
Erik Gregersen.)

2. Centre of Gravity, (2022), Byju’s Learning, Retrieved from

https://byjus.com/physics/centre-of-gravity/

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 Participation Page

I, (Shyrec, Shemar, Edwin, Amit, Reagan, Nada, Osmond, Reaz, Peter ), on behalf of the group,
confirm that ALL the individuals in the group have contributed EQUALLY towards the completion of
this exercise and support the distribution of EQUAL marks for all individuals in this group.

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