PHYSICS – Centre of mass and gravity.

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.5.4 Centre of mass
Core
• Perform and describe an experiment
to determine the position of the centre
of mass of a plane lamina
• Describe qualitatively the effect of
the position of the centre of mass on
the stability of simple objects

1.5.5 Scalars and vectors Supplement

• Understand that vectors have a
magnitude and direction
• Demonstrate an understanding of the
difference between scalars and vectors
and give common examples
• Determine graphically the resultant of
two vectors
Centre of Mass

Upward
force on
ruler
Centre of Mass

Upward
force on
ruler Suspension
point (G)

Lots of tiny particles exerting

gravitational forces on either
side of point G
Centre of Mass

Upward
force on
ruler Suspension
point (G)

Lots of tiny particles exerting

gravitational forces on either
side of point G

When the gravitational forces

on either side of G are equal,
the ruler is balanced.
Centre of Mass

Upward
force on
ruler Suspension
point (G)

Lots of tiny particles exerting

gravitational forces on either
side of point G

When the gravitational forces The forces now act together at

on either side of G are equal, G (a resultant force) = the
the ruler is balanced. weight.
G is the centre of mass, or
centre of gravity.
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.5.4 Centre of mass
Core
• Perform and describe an experiment
to determine the position of the centre
of mass of a plane lamina
• Describe qualitatively the effect of
the position of the centre of mass on
the stability of simple objects

1.5.5 Scalars and vectors Supplement

• Understand that vectors have a
magnitude and direction
• Demonstrate an understanding of the
difference between scalars and vectors
and give common examples
• Determine graphically the resultant of
two vectors
 So how do you find the
centre of mass (centre of
gravity) for an irregularly
shaped object?
 So how do you find the
centre of mass (centre of
gravity) for an irregularly
shaped object?
 So how do you find the
centre of mass (centre of
gravity) for an irregularly
shaped object?

Allow the card to

swing freely from
the pin.
 So how do you find the
centre of mass (centre of
gravity) for an irregularly
shaped object?

Allow the card to

swing freely from
the pin.

The card turns

until the centre
of mass is
vertically under
the pin.
 So how do you find the
centre of mass (centre of
gravity) for an irregularly
shaped object?

Allow the card to

swing freely from
the pin. Repeat using a plumb
line, and wherever
the lines cross, this
The card turns is the centre of
until the centre mass.
of mass is
vertically under
the pin.
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.5.4 Centre of mass
Core
• Perform and describe an experiment
to determine the position of the centre
of mass of a plane lamina
• Describe qualitatively the effect of
the position of the centre of mass on
the stability of simple objects

1.5.5 Scalars and vectors Supplement

• Understand that vectors have a
magnitude and direction
• Demonstrate an understanding of the
difference between scalars and vectors
and give common examples
• Determine graphically the resultant of
two vectors
Centre of Mass and Stability

If a force is applied, which box

will be the most stable?
Centre of Mass and Stability

Centre of mass

Weight acting downwards

Upward force from ground

The box here is in equilibrium. Forces are

balanced, as are the turning effects.
Centre of Mass and Stability

If a small force is applied, the tilt is small and

the upward and downward forces will act to
return the box to its original position.
Centre of Mass and Stability

With a larger force applied there is more tilt,

the box goes beyond the centre of gravity, so
will fall over.
Centre of Mass and Stability

If the box has a wider base and a lower

centre of gravity then it will be harder to tip
over.
Centre of Mass and Stability
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.5.4 Centre of mass
Core
• Perform and describe an experiment
to determine the position of the centre
of mass of a plane lamina
• Describe qualitatively the effect of
the position of the centre of mass on
the stability of simple objects

1.5.5 Centre of gravity Supplement

• Understand that vectors have a
magnitude and direction
• Demonstrate an understanding of the
difference between scalars and vectors
and give common examples
• Determine graphically the resultant of
two vectors
 What is the Center of Gravity?

• The point in which gravity

appears to be acting
• The point at which an object
behaves as if all it’s weight were
concentrated there
• The point at which an object can
be balanced
 Point of
Balance

• Why is an object
balanced at the
center of gravity?
• When an object is
supported at it’s
center of gravity there
is no net torque acting
on it, and it will remain
in static equilibrium
• An object balanced
at this point is able to
free rotate about
• that point – add
picture
Broom vs Meter
Stick
• Broom and meter stick balanced at the center
of gravity
• Why did one finger remain still or move slower
than the other?
• The finger that is closer to the center of gravity
will have to support more weight and will feel
more friction and move more slowly or remain
still. The other finger will begin to slide closer
to the center of gravity. The fingers may then
alternate as they approach meeting at the
center of gravity.
 Locating the Center of Gravity

• Uniform objects (meter stick) – Locate the center of

gravity using symmetry. The center of gravity for a
uniform object will be the exact geometric center.
•Irregularly shaped objects (broom) – you can locate
the center of gravity experimentally.
•Using a plumb line, you can suspend the object from
various points (2 or more) and trace the plumb line’s
location each time.
 Locating the Center of Gravity

Irregularly shaped objects

• The center of gravity of any suspended object lies directly beneath the
point of suspension. The center of gravity will be located on a vertical line
drawn from the suspension point.
• To locate this point, suspend the object from various points and draw
vertical lines from the suspension point.
• The intersection of the lines is the point of the object’s center of gravity.
 Why do we care about the center of gravity?

Stability!
• The degree of stability in an object’s position depends on
how much its center of gravity will be changed if moved.
• Stable equilibrium – occurs when a small displacement
on an object results in a restoring torque that brings the
object back to its original position
• Unstable equilibrium – occurs when a small
displacement on an object results in a torque that will
rotate the object farther from its original position (falls
over)
Why do we care about the center of gravity?

• As long as a plumb line

dropped from the center of
gravity falls within the area of
an object’s base of support,
the object will not all over.
Think back to peg boards – when was
the board stable?
 Balancing Toys – How do they work?

• If the pivot point (point of support) is on the same

vertical line as the center of gravity, then the object is
going to balance.
• When the toy is tipped, the center of gravity is raised
resulting in gravity exerting a restoring torque which
pulls it back toward the upright position.
• When the toy is tipped, the center of gravity is raised
resulting in gravity exerting a restoring torque which
pulls it back toward the upright position.
Centre of Gravity
Find the Center of Gravity
• Find the Center of Gravity
• Find the Center of Gravity
• Find the Center of Gravity
• Find the Center of Gravity
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.5.4 Centre of mass
Core
• Perform and describe an experiment
to determine the position of the centre
of mass of a plane lamina
• Describe qualitatively the effect of
the position of the centre of mass on
the stability of simple objects

1.5.5 Scalars and vectors Supplement

• Understand that vectors have a
magnitude and direction
• Demonstrate an understanding of the
difference between scalars and vectors
and give common examples
• Determine graphically the resultant of
two vectors
PHYSICS – Forces 3