Tightrope Walker ‒ Center of Mass (CG)

The center of mass of a body is the point from where the gravitational force acts upon it. For the body to be supported (or suspended) at one point so that the gravitational force was balanced, then the vertical median must pass through the point of support or suspension.

A tightrope walker stands on a rope and is in equilibrium. From his center of mass (point T) the vertical median (red line with an arrow pointing down) shows the support under the center of mass (rope).

The tightrope walker with a pole achieves greater stability due to lower center of mass and inertia. The tightrope walker has his own center of mass. The pole itself also has its own center of mass. If tightrope walker is holding the pole in both hands, together they form a system and have a common center of mass. Thanks to the pole the center of mass is lower, thereby ensuring a greater stability.