SBA # YY MM DD

18 2023 01 10

Title: The center of gravity of irregularly shaped objects

Aim: To determine the center of gravity of an object with an irregular shape

Material/Apparatus:
● irregularly shaped piece of cardboard
● plumb line
● stand
● clamp
● pencil
● ruler

Procedure:
1. The cardboard was hung by a hole from the clamp and the plumb line was
attached to the clamp.
2. A line was drawn across the cardboard where the string hung.
3. The process was repeated, the cardboard was hung by a second hole.
4. The lines drawn were observed.

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18 2023 01 10

Diagram

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18 2023 01 10

FOR TEACHERS ONLY

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SBA # YY MM DD
18 2023 01 10

FOR TEACHERS ONLY

SKILLS ASSESSED M/M ORR A/I P/D D CL/F
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 SBA # YY MM DD
18 2023 01 10

Observations/Results:

Table showing how the center of gravity of the irregularly shaped object was
obtained
1st Hole Line 1

2nd Hole Line 2 intersected with Line 1

3rd Hole Line 3 intersected with Line 1 & 2 at

the point of intersection of Line 1 & 2.

Analysis:
Gravity is a force exerted by the Earth in a downward direction. The center of
gravity of an object is the point through which its whole weight acts, for any
direction in which the object is placed. For a symmetrical shape, the center of
gravity will be in the middle. For an irregularly shaped object, the center of gravity
will be closer to where most of its mass is. The center of gravity stays in the same
position on the object. After the cardboard was hung by two holes, lines were
drawn where the string hung. The two lines intersected. It was then predicted that
when the third hole would hang the cardboard, the line would intersect with the
two lines at the same point. After the cardboard was hung by the third hole, the
line drawn intersected with the two lines at the same point proving the prediction
correct. This is referred to as the ‘hang test’ and is usually used to determine the
center of gravity of an irregular shape. When a shape is hung from a single point,
the center of mass will lie directly below that point, so if a shape is hung from 2 or
3 different points and a line is drawn straight down from each point, the center of
mass will be where those lines intersect. Therefore, the point of intersection of the
lines drawn on the cardboard is significant because that is the center of gravity of
the irregularly shaped object. Therefore, that is the point at which most of the mass
of the cardboard lies. To further prove this observation, the cardboard was
balanced on a fingertip; as it will only balance at the point of the center of gravity.
The cardboard was successfully balanced on a fingertip, therefore, proving that the
point of intersection of the three lines was the center of gravity of the irregularly
shaped object.

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SKILLS ASSESSED M/M ORR A/I P/D D CL/F
MARK OBTAINED
 SBA # YY MM DD
18 2023 01 10

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the center of gravity of an object with an irregular shape was
determined by hanging the cardboard from 3 different points. The three lines
drawn intersected at a common point, indicating the center of gravity of the object.

Reflection;
From this experiment, I learned how to find the center of gravity of irregularly
shaped objects. I also observed why it was necessary to hang the object from
multiple different points; to find the point of intersection. The center of gravity is
the point through which the whole weight of an object acts and this is useful to
architects when designing structures like buildings and bridges to ensure that a
stable structure is being built. It is also important to know the center of gravity as
it predicts the behavior of a moving body when acted on by gravity.

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