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==Key Stage 4==
[[File:BalancingBirdCentre_of_mass_train.png|right|300px|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001ELZ6F8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B001ELZ6F8&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=91947c71f7b82fcaf986f96327cd542d|thumb|This toy balances by having its It was essential to find the '''centre of mass''' of old steam trains to make sure it was low enough that it wouldn't tip over on the tracks at a turn. To do so they hung the entire engine from the ceiling from different points and drew chalk lines directly over its beakdown from those points. There are two points of intersection where the '''centre of mass''' was found. One when the boiler was empty and one when it was full.]]
===Meaning===
The '''centre of mass''' is the [[Mean Average|average]] position all the [[matter]] in an [[object]].
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008158770/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0008158770&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=ec31595e720e1529e49876c3866fff6e ''Centre of mass, pages 157, 169, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851370&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=01c69b0ae058f809cf636033e6ba793e ''Centre of mass, page 120, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782946403/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782946403&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=32a0abb60dff015b15b50e9b1d7b4644 ''Centre of mass, page 129, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945970&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=a120d24dcc7cc7a58192069a3aafc1d2 ''Centre of mass, page 149, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945598/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945598&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=ad276ad49df77ab4b40ab4fd0fe09758 ''Centre of mass, page 204, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178294558X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=178294558X&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=f0dfb66dafcb0c6e9449e7b1a4ae1ac40 ''Centre of mass, page 52, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/019835939X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=019835939X&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=57e96876985fc39b1a3d8a3e3dc238b6 ''Centre of mass, pages 124-125, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851362/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851362&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=7d78d70a2044ee9982dae010c94af92a ''Centre of mass, pages 210, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA '']
==Key Stage 5==
===Meaning===
The '''centre of mass''' of a body is the point through which a single [[force]] on the body has no turning effect.
===About the Centre of Mass===
*The '''centre of mass''' is the average position of all the [[mass]] in an [[object]].
*For a symmetrical [[object]] with uniform [[density]], the '''centre of mass''' is at its geometric centre.
*The location of the '''centre of [[mass]]''' affects the stability of an [[object]].
*In irregularly shaped objects, the '''centre of mass''' may not coincide with the geometric centre.
*The '''centre of mass''' can be outside the physical body in certain configurations.
*The '''centre of mass''' plays a critical role in the analysis of motion and dynamics.
*The '''centre of mass''' is important in sports and biomechanics for optimizing performance and balance.
===Method to find the Centre of Mass of a Lamina===
#Hang the [[lamina]] from a point.
#Hang a [[Plumb Line|plumb line]] from that point.
#Draw a line down the [[lamina]] following the string of the [[Plumb Line|plumb line]].
#Hang the [[lamina]] from a second point.
#Repeat steps 2 and 3.
The point where the lines cross will be the '''centre of mass'''.
A third line can be drawn to confirm this location.
===Examples===
*The centre of [[mass]] of a uniform rod is at its midpoint.
*Athletes adjust their '''centre of mass''' to improve performance in activities like high jumping and gymnastics.