Centre of Mass

Question 1

Centre of Mass of an object

Answer 1

The point at which its weight appears to act. If an object’s centre of mass is above its base, then it will not fall-it is stable. If it is outside the bass it will fall.

Question 2

Difference between low and high centre of mass

Answer 2

Objects with low centres of mass are more stable than objects with high ones because they can tilt further before their centres of mass are no longer over their bases.

Question 3

Finding centre of mass

Answer 3

Suspend an object from a single point and its centre will always be below the point of suspension. => Hang from one point and use a plum line to draw a vertical line then repeat on a different point and where the lines cross is the centre of mass. For irregular objects, it can be found by symmetry.

Question 4

Objects with narrow bases

Answer 4

Objects with com above very narrow bases can be balanced but will be in unstable equilibrium-they don’t need much of a push before hey fall.

Question 5

Objects with com below their bases

Answer 5

Objects with com below their bases are easy to balance and are in stable equilibrium-they will tend to move back into a stable position after being titled.