Experiment Mp-07
Irregular Shape
Description: An
irregular shape cut out of plywood is suspended by small holes near its edges
and a horizontal rod. The center of gravity fixed in the object always orients
itself with minimum potential energy on a vertical line below the support point.
A vertical level is hung from the rod the shape is hanging on and its string is
traced with a line of chalk. When the shape is hung and the level is traced
from many different points, it is evident that the center of gravity of the shape
is in the center where all of the chalk lines meet.
Picture
of shape with level and chalk lines.
When the shape is hung from its center of gravity, the shape is in equilibrium
in any position.
Shape
hanging at its center of gravity.
This page was last updated on
Friday August 15, 2008 8:37 PM
