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How to Calculate the Velocity From Change in the Center of Gravity

Velocity is a measure of how fast an object or particle changes position within a specified interval of time. The center of gravity is the point within an object at which all the forces being applied to that object can be considered to act. Therefore, the entire object can be seen as being condensed to this one point, or particle, when being quantified. Measuring the velocity of an object is the same as measuring the velocity of the center of gravity of the object. Velocity only changes magnitude when the center of gravity changes position.

Instructions

- 1
  Subtract the start time from the end time of the interval for which you are measuring the motion of the object. For example, if the center of gravity of an object is reflected on a Cartesian coordinate plane and is positioned on the x-axis such that x = 0 seconds, then moves for x = 6 seconds, the displacement in time is (6 - 0), or 6 seconds.
- 2
  Subtract the initial position of the center of gravity of the object from its final position. For example, if the center of gravity of an object is positioned on the y-axis such that y = 0 meters, then moves to y = 12 meters, the displacement in position is (12 - 0), or 12 meters.
- 3
  Divide the displacement in position by the displacement in time of the object's center of gravity. For example, if the center of gravity of an object is measured to move 12 meters in 6 seconds, the expression becomes: (12 meters / 6 seconds) = 2 meters per second. This is the velocity of the center of gravity over the time interval (0, 6) seconds.

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