Centre of mass and stabilisation

Question 1

What is CoM?

Answer 1

Conceptual point where all the mass of a body can be considered to be concentrated

Question 2

What is point mass?

Answer 2

Mass at one point
Newtons law’s can be applied to these

Question 3

How does linear motion occur?

Answer 3

The overall line of the force has to pass through the CoM

Question 4

What is the difference between CoM and CoG?

Answer 4

CoM - distribution of mass equal in all directions , not dependent on gravity
CoG- Weight is distributes equally in all directions, depends on gravity

Question 5

What is the CoG?

Answer 5

It is a conceptual point where gravity is evenly distributed

Question 6

What is gravity?

Answer 6

A force acting between masses. It is always attractive and depends on the masses involved and their separation.

Question 7

How do we find CoM from CoG?

Answer 7

Rigid body- balance/knife edge method - CoG above point of support

Question 8

What is equilibrium?

Answer 8

Sum of forces on the body are zero sum of moments about a point are zero

Question 9

What is a moment?

Answer 9

Rotational equivalent of force
Moment = force x perpendicular distance

Question 10

How can we determine CoG?

Answer 10

Statograph- sums moments about one axis
Reaction board- sums moments about two axes