All of the kinematic and dynamics equations assume that the forces are acting on a particle. That is never the case in the real world. Objects have three dimensions, not two. As a result of this, it is sometimes important to be able to determine an object's center of mass. This is the point at which the object behaves as if all it's mass were concentrated at one point. For symmetrical objects, like spheres, the point is at the center of the object. The center of mass for any given object is dependent on the mass distribution within the object and its shape.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to calculate an object's center of mass. You'll also learn how the center of mass of an object changes as it is separated into its component pieces...such as after an internal explosion.