EDEXCEL IGCSE Physics

Mechanics F
Statics - the study of the stationary state of an object with reference to the
mass of the object and the forces acting on it
Centre of gravity and centre of mass
Centre of gravity
Centre of mass

- the point where the whole weight of an object appears to act.

- the point where the mass of an object is concentrated.

In a uniform gravitational field, centre of gravity = centre of mass

Finding the centre of gravity of an object

(1) Centre of gravity of a uniform object

The centre of gravity will be located where the axes of symmetry cross.
(2) Centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped object
The centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped object cannot be found using the
method used for a uniform object as irregularly shaped objects do not have any axes
of symmetry. The following method can be used to find the centre of gravity of an
irregularly shaped object.
Things required :
i.
A plumb line (or a piece of string and some weights)
ii.
A pin or a nail
iii.
Pencil
Method:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

Place 3 random dots each closer to an edge of the object.

Using the pin or nail punch a hole at one dot. The hole should be slightly
larger than the diameter of the nail.
Hang the object on a vertical surface by pinning the nail onto a wall or a
vertical board. Make sure the object can rotate freely.
Attach the plumb line (or string with attached weight) to the nail so that
the weight hangs straight downwards.
Trace the line of the string onto the object using a pencil.
Repeat the same procedure with the other 2 dots.
The point where the lines intersect each other is the centre of gravity.
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Centre of gravity and stability

Stable object An object that is difficult to push over; when pushed and then
released, it will tend to return to its original position.
An object will topple if the vertical line through the centre of gravity of an
object is outside the base.

Lower the centre of gravity, greater the stability.

less stable

more stable

Greater the area of the base, greater the stability.

less stable

more stable
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Moments
Pivot or Fulcrum

- A fixed point on which an object turns.

Moment

- The turning effect of a force about a pivot is called

its moment

Moment of a force = Force x Perpendicular distance from pivot

Unit of Moment = Nm
Q Calculate the moments

Principles of moment
For an object in equilibrium,
Total clockwise moment = Total anti clockwise moment

Also, for an object in equilibrium,

Total upward force = Total downward force

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