Question

Give the location of the centre of mass of a 
(i) sphere
(ii) cylinder
(iii) ring 
(iv) cube
each of uniform mass density. Does thecentre of mass of a body necessarily lie inside the body ?

Answer 1

Location of center of mass in the following body:

1. Uniform sphere (Hollow or solid); center of mass is at the center of the sphere.

2. Solid cylinder; Middle point of the axis of the cylinder.

3. Uniform circular ring; at the center of the ring (which is outside the material of the ring)

4. Cube; point of intersection of the diagonals.

The position of the center of the mass depends upon the shape and size of the body and the distribution of its mass. Hence, it may lie inside or outside the material of the body.