Center of Gravity

Alta High Conceptual Physics

 Center of Gravity
 Center of gravity is often called the
“Center of Mass” and is defined as the
point at which all mass seems be
concentrated.
 Center of Gravity is a balance point.
 You can use a plumb bob to find the center
of gravity

Alta High Conceptual Physics

High Jumper

Alta High Conceptual Physics

 Toppling
 When an object’s center of gravity is
over its base it will remain upright,
however if the center of gravity extends
beyond the base it will topple.

Alta High Conceptual Physics

Center of Gravity Center of Gravity
over Base – will outside Base –
stay upright will topple

Alta High Conceptual Physics

Stability

Base Alta High Conceptual Physics

of Support
 Stability
 When an object is balanced so that any
displacement lowers its center of gravity it
is in an unstable equilibrium.

Center of
Gravity

Alta High Conceptual Physics

Stability
 Which object is most stable?

Alta High Conceptual Physics

State of Principle of Equilibrium
 The state of Principle of Equilibrium of a body at rest
will depend on the position of the center of gravity of
a body. This is an imaginary point in the body where
its weight seems to be concentrated. The state of
principle of equilibrium may be classified as stable,
unstable and neutral.
 1. Stable Equilibrium. A body is said to be in a state
of stable equilibrium if, after being slightly disturbed,
it returns to its original position of rest because the
center of gravity is relatively in its lowest position.
 2. Unstable Equilibrium. A body is said to be in a
state of unstable equilibrium if, after being slightly
disturbed and released, it moves further away from
Alta High Conceptual Physics
 position of rest because the center of gravity is in
highest position.
 3. Neutral Equilibrium. A body is said to be a state of
neutral equilibrium if, after being slightly pushed,
there will be no tendency for the top to return to its
original of rest because the center of gravity is
neither raised nor lowered when the top is slightly
pushed.

Alta High Conceptual Physics

 The condition required for equilibrium when a
number of forces and moments act on a body.
 If the resultant of all the forces acting on a body is
zero, all forces balance, and the body I said to be in
equilibrium. The body will remain at rest if it is
originally at rest before the forces are applied.
 The torque produced by a force about any axis is
also called the moment of the force about that same
axis.

Alta High Conceptual Physics

 The factors which govern the stability
and over turning of a box.
 1. Weight
 2. Area of the base
 3. Location of the center of gravity

Alta High Conceptual Physics

The balance of forces and the
center gravity of a straight lever.
 If there is no rotation, the sum of all the clockwise
moments must be equal to the sum of all the counter
clockwise moments. This is known as the Second
Condition for Equilibrium. In a seesaw, the weights
of the two persons who are trying to balance the
seesaw is supported is known as the fulcrum. A
balance can be obtained, even with unequal weights,
by a proper choice of the lever arm.

Alta High Conceptual Physics

Applying the Law of Moments.
 M1 = M 2

F1d1 = F2d2
 Where: M - Moment
 F - Force or Weight
 d - distance
 Playing in a seesaw is an example of balance
moments. The product of the weight and distance
from the fulcrum of the left side should be equal to
that of the other side.

Alta High Conceptual Physics

 Solved Problem 1:

 Juan weighs 250 N sits at one end of a 4-meter

seesaw. And Pedro sits opposite side of Juan 1.5
meters away from the fulcrum and they balance each
other. What is the weight of Pedro?
 Given:
 Weight of Juan, WJ = 250 N
 Distance of Juan from the fulcrum, dJ = 2 m
 Distance of Pedro from the fulcrum, dP = 1.5 m
 Required:
 Weight of Pedro, WP

Alta High Conceptual Physics

Solution:

 Formula:
 MJ = MP
 WJ dJ= WP dP


WP = WJ dJ / dP


WP = 250 N( 2 m ) / 1.5 m
 WP = 333 N

Alta High Conceptual Physics

 Solved Problem 2:
 A two-sided pulley serves as a cargo-carrier in a certain vessel.
One of the cargo is 40 kg and is located 0.6 meter from the
center, and the other cargo is 60 kg is at the second side. How
far from the center must be massive object be located on the
opposite side?
 Given: W1 = 40 kg; d1 = 0.6 m
 W2 = 60 kg
 Solution:

 W1d1 = W2d2


d2 = W1d1 / W2
 = 40 kg ( 0.6 m ) / 60 kg
 = 0.4 meter

Alta High Conceptual Physics