Center of Mass, Centroid

Centroid

When an object has uniform density, its center of mass depends only on the shape. This is called the centroid.

Let's compute the centroid of the semi-circle above the x axis. By symmetry, the point lies on the y axis; we only need find the y coordinate. Switch to polar coordinates and integrate y, or r×sin(θ). Bring in the extra r as required, and obtain an integral of 2/3. Now divide by the area of the shape, which is π/2. The centroid is at 4 over 3π, approximately 0.4244. This is less than half the radius, which makes sense, since most of the circle is near the x axis.

If a cone has base b and height h, stand it up on its point, like an ice cream cone. Its volume is bh/3, found by integrating b(z/h)2 as z runs from 0 to h. The centroid is on the axis; we only need find the z coordinate. Integrate bz(z/h)2 to get bh2/4. Divide by volume and get ¾h. Therefore the centroid of a cone, or pyramid, or any other shape whose dimensions decrease linearly from base to apex, is on axis, ¼ of the way from base to apex.