Hovedtyngden

Hovedtyngden is the Norwegian term used to describe the point in an object where its total weight can be considered to act. In many contexts it is used interchangeably with tyngdepunkt, the center of gravity, although some disciplines distinguish subtle nuances between the terms. In physics and engineering, the concept is defined relative to the gravitational field acting on the body. In a uniform gravitational field, the hovedtyngden coincides with the center of mass; when gravity varies with position, the two quantities may differ.

Calculation is based on mass distribution. For a system of discrete masses, the hoofdtyngden is located at the mass-weighted average of the positions: the sum of m_i times r_i divided by the total mass. For a continuous body, this becomes an integral of density times position over the volume, divided by the total mass. These methods yield the same result in a uniform field.

Applications of the concept include engineering, architecture, vehicle design, aerospace, sports science, and biomechanics. Knowledge of the hovedtyngden informs stability, balance, and load distribution, such as where to place supports, ballast, or control surfaces, and how a person or object will balance under movement.

Examples and implications: the projection of the hovedtyngden onto a support surface determines tipping risk; in design, changing mass distribution can alter stability and handling. See also tyngdepunkt, center of mass, and gravity for related concepts.