Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

BFF2821 Mechanics Laboratory

Title COG- Centres of Gravity Category Statics

Prepared by Matrix No.

Matrix No.

Date/Time

1. Introduction

The force of gravity is the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the
earth's on bodies on its surface. The body experiences a downward pull when gravity acts on it. This force is
equivalent to a single downward pull force act on a body, which acts through the centre of gravity. This is
shown by the fact that a body can be supported by a single force, which acts on the centre of gravity at the
upward direction.

It is important to know the center of gravity in machine design. In fact, the weight of the moving and rotating
parts of a machine is concentrated on the center of gravity. Hence the center of gravity of machine is often
considered when cutting the metal parts for making it component. The exact location of center of gravity of a
component is dependent on its shape, which is addressed in this experiment.

The objective of this experiment is to determine the position of the centre of gravity of various shaped plates.

2. Apparatus

Apparatus Quantity/Specification Figure

Mounting panel 1 NIL

Rectangle plate 1

Circular plate 1

Triangle plate 1

T plate 1

Rhomboid plate 1

© FKP-UMP 2012
Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Apparatus Quantity/Specification Figure

Irregular plate 1

Knurled nut (P11) 1

Pivot screw (P1) 1

Plumb bob and line 1

3. Procedure

3.1 Preparation

1. Secure the mounting panel in the vertical position.

2. Insert the support pin through one of the holes in the upper half of the mounting panel. Secure the pin
with nut.
3. Make sure that the plate surface is clean.

3.2 Test 1

1. Suspend the plate with the support pin in one of the holes at the outer side of the plate.
2. Hook the plumb-line on the support pin in front of the plate. Mark the position of the plumb-line on
the face of the plate with pencil dots (when the plate and plum-line is at rest position).
3. Remove the plate and draw a line through the pencil dots.
4. Repeat with the plate suspended from the two outer holes.
5. The lines drawn intersect at one of the inner hole. Mark this hole with the letter G.
6. Repeat the test for all plates available.

3.3 Test 2

1. Suspend the plate with the support pin through each of the inner holes.
2. Rotate the plate and observe how it comes to rest.

Figure 1: Experiment setup

© FKP-UMP 2012
Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang

4. Results

Draw each of the plate used in this on a piece of paper. Mark the inner hole of the plate that represents their
center of gravity

5. Discussions

Describe your observation in Test 2. Mention the location of center of gravity for each plate when it comes to
rest after rotation.

6. Conclusions

Write your conclusions accordingly.

© FKP-UMP 2012