Centre of Gravity and

Stability of an object

GCSE Physics
Learning Intentions
By the end of the lesson we will be able
to…

 Understand the term Centre of

Mass/Gravity (CoG)
 Recognise the factors that affect an
object’s CoG
 Investigate how to find the CoG of an
irregular object.
Centre of Gravity
 This is the point at which the whole
weight of the body can be taken as
acting through
or
 the point from which the object will
balance
Regular and uniform objects
 The geometrical centre of some common
shapes-

 This is also where the centre of gravity and

the object’s weight, W, can be considered
to act
For a triangle
 The centre of gravity (and
geometrical centre) is found by
drawing a line from the corner to the
opposite line’s midpoint
For non-uniform shapes
 When more than one material makes
up an object the centre of gravity will
be affected.
 External CoG
 For some objects the CoG is not
located on the actual object -
Stool

Ring 2 uniform
perpendicular
planks
 Why does the object balance?
 Linked to Principle of Moments
Anti- Clockwise Moment = Clockwise Moment

The Humble
metre rule

 When the object is suspended from a point

it will come to rest when the clockwise
moment is equal to the anti clockwise
moment
Icebergs!
As these guys melt their CoG
changes and they roll over!
Learning Intentions
By the end of the lesson we will be able
to…

 Understand the term Centre of

Mass/Gravity (CoG)
 Recognise the factors that affect an
object’s CoG
 Investigate how to find the CoG of an
irregular object.
When an object is suspended
 When an object is suspended, so that
it can swing freely, it will come to rest
with its CoG vertically below the
point of suspension

See Page 52 and 53 for extra notes in the book

CoG of an irregular shape
 Find the CoG of an irregular shaped
lamina
Pin held by
clamp
a b c

a b
c c
b a

hole
plumb line
 Balancing Act!
 Now, try to balance the object at that
point…
c

a b

 Question- explain in terms of moments why

the object can be balanced at this point?
Answer- on one side of the point of CoG, the object’s weight is causing a
turning effect. This is counter balanced on the other side where the
weight is causing a turning effect in the opposite direction.
Example
 1 m long spade balances in a string loop when
the loop is 30 cm from the end of the blade.

2 kg

 A 2 kg mass is placed at the handle and the

balance point is at the centre of the spade.

 What is the mass of the spade?

Learning Intentions
By the end of the lesson we will be able
to…

 Recall how the stability of an object

depends on the…
 position of the centre of gravity
 size of the object’s base
Position of Centre of Gravity
Stability

 An object will be in STABLE

EQUILIBRIUM when it returns to its
original position after given a small
displacement
Page 53

 Neutral Equilibrium
 Unstable Equilibrium
Stability
 For an object to start rotating it
needs to have an unbalanced
moment acting on it-
Rotates Clockwise Rotates Anti-Clockwise

Pivot Pivot
W W
W
Stable Stable Unstable
• An object becomes unstable when its Centre of
Gravity falls outside of the object’s base.

Why?
All of the object’s weight can be considered as acting
through the CoG. If this acts outside the base then it
will cause a turning effect or a moment
The Traffic Cone

A great example of a
VERY stable object.
What features of the
cone make it so
stable?
-Low Centre of Gravity
-Wide base
Balance and Sport
Balance and Sport
Balance and Sport
The Double Decker Bus
 Each of the diagrams on the
right represent a Double
Decker bus with passengers
inside.
 Draw out and label the one
which shows all passengers
on
- the lower level
- the upper level
- both levels
Delete a word to complete the
sentences
 If more people sit upstairs on the bus
the CoG will rise/fall. This will make
the bus more stable/unstable and it
can be tilted by a greater/lesser angle
 The bus will fall over when the CoG
acts inside/outside of the bus’ base

 A stable object has a low/high CoG

and a narrow/wide base
Question Time
 Page 56
 Questions 37-39