CENTER OF GRAVITY/CENTER OF MASS

 Center of gravity of an object is the point where the weight

of the object acts.
 Center of mass of an object is the point where the mass of
the object appears to concentrate.
 Center of mass and center of gravity are the same

EXAMPLES OF CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR SOME

OBJECTS
Experiment to find the center of gravity of a triangular lamina

EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE THE CENTER OF GRAVITY

To find the centre of gravity of a triangular lamina, use the following steps:

1. Get a stand and a plumb line (a string with a weight on it).

2. Punch 3 holes, one at each of the vertices of the lamina.

3. Hang the lamina from the first hole, and attach the plumb line to the nail or pin

from which the lamina is suspended.

4. Make two dots on the lamina, beneath the string to indicate where the line passes.

5. Draw a line to pass through the dots.

6. Repeat step 3- 5 for all the other holes. Where the lines meet is the centre of gravity.
 STABILITY
• Stability tells us how secure something is on
the ground.
• If something is stable, then it will not topple easily if a
tilting force is applied and then withdrawn.
• There are two factors that affect the stability of an
object:
1.The area of the object’s base.
2.The position of the centre of mass of the object,
i.e the height of the c.g
• A stable object will have WIDE base, and a LOW
centre of gravity.
Worked example on calculation involving moment
and center of gravity
(by snm that the value of the reading on the spring balance is 8.0 [2]
N.

(c) The weight of the uniform metre rule is 1.5 N.

Calculate the lorce exerted by the pivot on the metre rule.

magnitude of lorce =
[2]
direction of lorce
ACTIVITY
1.
 2.
uniform meter rule

 C.G
0cm 10cm 40cm 100cm

60N
(i) At what mark does the weight of the meter rule acts?
(ii) Find the weight of the meter rule if it is in
equilibrium
(iii) Find the upward force ( reaction force), F , at the pivot.
3.
(b) The piece of plastic has a mass of 120 g.

Calculate the weight of the piece of plastic.

*e'ht°....................................................... N [3]

[Total. 6]