center of gravity

The center of gravity is a point associated with a geometric object or physical body, defined as the point at which the overall effect of a distribution may be regarded as concentrated. In geometry, the center of gravity of a triangle is the point where its three medians intersect. It lies on each median one-third of the way from the opposite side, or equivalently two-thirds of the way from the corresponding vertex. More generally, the center of gravity of a plane figure or three-dimensional solid is the barycenter of its points with uniform weighting, and can be calculated as the average of the coordinates of its constituent points. In physics, the center of gravity of a solid body is the point through which the resultant gravitational force on all parts of the body acts. In a uniform gravitational field, it coincides with the center of mass. The concept of center of gravity is fundamental in statics, solid mechanics, and architecture, where it is used in the study of structural stability.