• Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    16 hours 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
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      13 hours 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
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      14 hours ago

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