01-08-12, 03:35 PM
Apologies for thread drift but .....
"The centre of gravity is defined as the average position of weight distribution, and mass and weight are technically different properties. However, because weight and mass are proportional, the center of gravity and center of mass refer to the same point of an object for almost all objects on and near Earth's surface."
The car roof rack example is not really valid as you talk about moving the mass and not the point where it attaches to the car. You've lowered the CoG by lowering the mass. If you leave the load on the roof but change the point where it attaches would the car handling change (assuming it is a rigid body)?
If you stand on the pegs the centre of mass will be higher (but you will have more control by moving your body from left to right). I'm with Phil .... or have I missed something here?
"The centre of gravity is defined as the average position of weight distribution, and mass and weight are technically different properties. However, because weight and mass are proportional, the center of gravity and center of mass refer to the same point of an object for almost all objects on and near Earth's surface."
The car roof rack example is not really valid as you talk about moving the mass and not the point where it attaches to the car. You've lowered the CoG by lowering the mass. If you leave the load on the roof but change the point where it attaches would the car handling change (assuming it is a rigid body)?
If you stand on the pegs the centre of mass will be higher (but you will have more control by moving your body from left to right). I'm with Phil .... or have I missed something here?