Tightrope Walker ‒ Center of Mass (CG)

The center of mass of an object is the point at which gravitational force acts on it. For an object to be supported or suspended at a single point, such that the gravitational force is balanced, the vertical median must pass through the point of support or suspension. A tightrope walker standing on a rope is in equilibrium. From his center of mass (denoted as point T), the vertical median (represented by a red line with an arrow pointing downward) indicates the support directly beneath the center of mass (the rope). A tightrope walker holding a pole achieves greater stability because of a lower center of mass and increased inertia. Both the tightrope walker and the pole have their own centers of mass. When the walker holds the pole with both hands, they form a combined system with a shared center of mass. The addition of the pole lowers the overall center of mass, thus improving stability.