Title: centre of gravity

Aim:To determine the center of gravity of a lamina

Discussion :

The experiment involved finding the center of gravity of a lamina. Equilibrium is an important factor
when it comes to finding the center of gravity. When an object is in equilibrium, conditions are satisfied:
translational equilibrium (the object isn’t moving in any direction) and rotational equilibrium (it isn’t
rotating). To maintain translational equilibrium, the sum of all the forces acting on the object, including
gravity, must be zero. When an object is at equilibrium it means that it is also at rest, this defaulted state
can show where the true center of gravity, since there are no forces acting upon the lamina. This is the
reason as to why the lamina and plumb line was allowed to be at equilibrium. The plumb line was used
to pin point where the center of garavity was. Since the string was thin and it was at equilibrium, points
were marked off along the string and where the lines intersected was the center of gravity.

Sources of Error:

Inaccurate Marking: Inaccurate marking of the string’s position on the lamina or drawing lines on the
paper can lead to errors in determining the center of gravity.

Stiffness of the lamina may caused the lamina to stick .

Precautions:

Accurate Marking: Carefully mark the positions of the hanging string on the lamina and draw lines on the
paper precisely to minimize errors in determining the intersection point.

Inspect Equipment: Regularly inspect the pin, cork, and other equipment to ensure they are in good
condition and replace them if necessary to maintain the stability of the setup.

Use Uniform Lamina: Choose a lamina with uniform thickness to obtain more accurate results. Verify the
uniformity of the lamina before conducting the experiment.

Limitations:

Sensitivity to External Factors: The experiment’s accuracy can be affected by external factors such as
vibrations in the surroundings or changes in temperature, which might cause the setup to be less stable.

Human Errors: Despite precautions, human errors in observation and measurement can still impact the
accuracy of the results.

Limited to Freely Hanging Lamina: This method is applicable to laminae that can freely hang. It may not
be suitable for objects that cannot hang without additional support.