Centre of Gravity

GCE
1 State what is meant by centre of gravity

2 Describe how to determine the position of the centre of gravity of

a plane lamina using a plumb line

3 Describe, qualitatively, the effect of the position of the centre of

gravity on the stability of simple objects
IGCSE ● State what is meant by centre of gravity
● Describe an experiment to determine the position of the
centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped plane lamina
● Describe, qualitatively, the effect of the position of the centre
of gravity on the stability of simple objects
What is centre of
The centre of gravity of any
gravity? object is defined as the point
through which its whole weight
appears to act
Centre of gravity:For an object of regular shape and uniform density,the centre of
gravity is in its geometrical centre

● Position
Depending on the object's shape, its centre of gravity can be inside or outside it.
● Regular shapes
A metre rule is a uniform and regular shape, therefore its centre of gravity, G, is at its centre i.e. at the 50 cm mark.
The metre rule balances freely at its centre of gravity
Experiment to find the Centre of
gravity of an irregular lamina
Apparatus
● retort stand
● cork
● plumb line
● pin
● lamina
Method
1. On the lamina, make three holes near the edge of the lamina.
2. Suspend the lamina through one of the holes as shown in the diagram.
3. Hang the plumb line on the pin.
4. When the plumb line is steady, make a dot on the position of the line at the edge of the lamina
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the other two holes
6. The point where the lines meet is the centre of gravity of the body
Stability
 ● Stability is a measure of how likely it is for an object to topple over when pushed or moved.Stable objects are very difficult to
topple over, while unstable objects topple over very easily.

An object will topple over if its centre of gravity is ‘outside’ the base, or edge, on which it balances.

The object on the right will topple, as its centre of gravity is no longer over its base

● If the centre of gravity does not lie above its base, then an object will topple over

● The most stable objects have a low centre of gravity and a wide base
For an object to be stable it must have:

● a wide base

● a low centre of gravity

Objects with a wide base, and a low centre of gravity, are more stable than those with a narrow base and a high centre of gravity.

The yellow car has a wider wheel base and lower centre of gravity than the blue car.

It is more stable.

The wheel acts as the pivot for the car.

The weight has a turning effect or moment, which causes the car to topple over or fall back.
A double decker bus is stable as it has a:

● low centre of gravity because of its low, heavy engine and heavy bottom deck;
● wide wheel base.

A traffic cone is stable as it has a:

● low centre of gravity G because of its heavy base;

● wide base
Example
The diagram below shows a bus in two positions.

The centre of gravity of the bus is marked with a G.

For each position describe and explain what happens to the bus.
Position 1

● The bus does not topple over.

● This is because the centre of gravity G is inside the wheel base. The weight produces a clockwise moment about the pivot,
pulling the bus back onto its base.

Position 2

● The bus topples over.

● This is because the centre of gravity G is outside the wheel base. The weight produces an anticlockwise moment about the
pivot, pulling the bus off its base and on to its side.
links

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipKwm0jalzM
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8wKV0UQtlo
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55w2YJTyHw0
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VTC8VMamks
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hxUZgdL_GU