Centre of Gravity

Physics SSS1 Third Term

WEEK 5

Centre of Gravity

Performance Objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Determine the stability of an object

Content

Centre of Gravity

Attempt to balance an object like the one in the picture below (toy) at the top of your right index finger. Note the point on the toy at which the finger is most able to support the toy.

This child’s toy uses the principles of center of mass to keep balance on a finger.

Move the finger to another point slightly different from the first point of balance and see if the toy can still be balanced at this new position.

From the above simple experiment we will observe that there is a unique…