(ELI5) What is the center of gravity?
In: 9
Gravity has a effect on all parts of an object. But it is quite hard to consider all parts so it is a good idea to try to simplify things.
Take a broom and try to balance it horizontally on a finger. Your finger can’t be in the middle of it. the broomstick is lighter than the Broomhead so you need to be close to the broom head. So when you find the point it can balance of you finger you find the point where the center of gravity is that is also the center of mass.
That point is more exactly a vertical plane going you the center of gravity. You can rotate the broom horizontally 90 degrees to find it for that configuration too and then 90 degrees vertically. So when you have done that for all directions you have the center of gravity.
So the center of gravity is the point it could balance at regardless of how you point it. How you in practice could attach it is another completely different problem.
In biology, you have a system of humans that are not solid like a broom but can change the configuration so the center of gravity change when you move around.
If you center of mass is outside what supports it below and you are just starting on something you will start to fall over at that point. Look at calculator-online.net/images/Fig20_Principle1-min.jpg and in the case of C you would start to fall over. You would need to have the foot attached to the ground to still be able to stand like that. Screw a shoe to the floor and then keep your feet in it by tying the shoe laces and could still stand. The shoes need to be strong enough and not break too.
You can and do exploit this, by walking and primary running are you moving so the center of mass is outside the support and you start falling in that direction, you are just moving the other leg forward to stop you from hitting the ground.
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