How do you determine the center of gravity of regularly and irregularly shaped objects?

Question

This is for my physics homework. We're currently going though the lesson of the center of gravity, equilibrium and torque.

Answer 1

Do you mean mathematically or experimentally? It can be done mathematically only if you have a mathematical expression for the shape of the object. Do to it experimentally, one way is to "hang" the shape from a point on its edge, and draw a vertical line down from that point. Then pick another point on the edge a distance from the first, and do the same thing. Where the two lines intersect is the center of gravity.

For more on the mathematical technique and definition, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_gravity

Answer 2

By rotating it.