6.5 Stability Flashcards
what happens if a body in stable equilibrium is displaced then released
it returns to its equilibrium position
why does an object in stable equilibrium return to equilibrium when displaced and released
the centre of mass of the object is directly below the point of support when the object is at rest
why are the support force and weight directly equal and opposite to each other when an object is in equilibrium
the weight of the object is considered to act as its centre of mass
why does the weight return an object to equilibrium
when displaced at the instant of release the line of action of weight is no longer passing through the point of support
what is an unstable equilibrium
if the object is slightly displaced from equilibrium then released it will no longer be able to balance and roll of as the centre of mass is no lower above the point of support therefore causing the weight to turn the object further from equilibrium position
what is tilting
where an object at rest on a surface is action by a force that raises it up on one side
when will an object topple
when it is tilted too far
if an object on a surface is tilted more the line of acton of its weight (through the centre of its mass) passes closer to the pivot
if the object is tilted so much that the line of action of its weight passes the pivot the object will topple over
what is the furthest an object can tilt without toppling over
the position when the line of action of the weight passes through the pivot
when will a vehicle topple over on a slope
when the line of action of its weight passes the wheelbase of the vehicle
