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[-] Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 45 points 6 days ago

Not saying you’re wrong - you’re probably right. But as an engineer, I’ve referred to or been asked about “the center of mass” thousands of times and not once have I ever heard “virtual” used. It’s just always the center of mass - wherever that point exists in all of spacetime.

It’s weird. Did something change over the years (like using the Oxford comma or double spacing after a period?). Or is that something that’s always been a thing that I’ve never run across? Strange ;)

[-] DannyBoy@sh.itjust.works 17 points 6 days ago

After doing a search online the only reference to a virtual center of mass is a StackExchange post that says it's from a high school textbook. Must be the same one I had. Seems to be not so common of a term!

[-] kayzeekayzee 11 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I think the proper term would be "mathematical", bit "virtual" gets the point across just as well in context

this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2025
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