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Subject: Science/Physics
Level: Form 2
Topic: Centre of Gravity and Stability of Objects
Key Points:
 The Centre of Gravity (also known as Center of Mass) is the point where all the weight of the
body is concentrated.

any familiar term for torus

Sphere

 The STABILITY of an object depends on

1. Position of its Centre of Gravity
2. The base area of the object
 Objects remain at REST or in Equilibrium when they experience NO NET Forces.

 An object’s ability to keep its position and not move away, is called STABILITY.

 The stability of an object depends on the width of its base or position of its center of gravity.

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A. A Body with wider base is more stable than when the base is narrow

B. A body with a low center of gravity is more stable than one with a high
center of gravity

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 The position of the Centre of Gravity determines whether an object is in Stable Equilibrium,
Unstable Equilibrium or Neutral Equilibrium

tilt

tilt

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Activity 1: Find the Center of Gravity of the following shapes by

 DRAWING straight lines with a ruler along the objects axes of symmetry
 The Center of Gravity is where all lines intersect

Activity 2: Write in blank space the TYPE of Equilibrium for each object below

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Assessment:
1. The point through which the whole weight of a body acts is called
(a) center of rotation
(b) mid-point
(c) center of gravity
(d) center of volume
2. To increase the stability of an object, the area if its base should be
(a) narrow
(b) deep
(c) unbalanced
(d) wide
3. If an object’s center of gravity neither rises nor falls and stays at the same height, it is in
the state of
(a) stable equilibrium
(b) unstable equilibrium
(c) neutral equilibrium
(d) manual equilibrium
4. If an object returns to its original position when it is slightly displaced, it is in the state of
(a) stable equilibrium
(b) unstable equilibrium
(c) neutral equilibrium
(d) manual equilibrium
5. If an object topples when it is slightly displaced, it is in the state of
(a) stable equilibrium
(b) unstable equilibrium
(c) neutral equilibrium
(d) manual equilibrium

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Answer Key:
Activity 1:

center of gravity

center of gravity center of gravity

Activity 2:

Assessment:

1. (c)
2. (d)
3. (c)
4. (a)
5. (b)

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References:

 https://slideplayer.com/slide/14489935/

 http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age11-14/Mechanics/Statics/text/Stability_/index.html

 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/centre-of-mass-1160772

 https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/TeamScienceUK

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i4VCWYGQZo

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