Question

How does the center of mass change position?

Answer 1

Hint : Center of mass is defined as the balance point at which the relative weight distribution is zero. Center of mass of a body with respect to the whole body can be changed by altering the shape or the orientation or the dimensions of the body.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
In physics, the center of mass of a body is defined as the unique point where the weighted relative position of the distributed mass sums to zero.
It can be also defined as the balanced point where if a force is applied, the body will move in the direction of the motion without rotating.
The center of mass of a body can be inside or outside a body depending upon shape and type of body. If the density of a solid body is uniform, then the center of mass will be located at the center of the body.
The center of mass of a point distribution of mass can change by the changing location of any points.
The center of mass is mostly fixed with respect to the whole solid body, but it is possible to change it.
The center of mass can be changed by bending the body, reshaping it, stretching or compressing it, by changing the density, by changing the mass distribution etc.
Hence, the center of mass can be changed if the body is not rigid.

Note :
The center of mass for a rigid body might be inside or outside the body, but it is always a fixed point and does not change with respect to the whole body depending on type of motion of the body. Center of mass is usually a reference point to find the properties of a non-uniform body or for the distribution of mass scattered in a plane.