Stability

ES 10 Lecture 4

Stability?

Gravity
The attraction of
masses towards each
other

Center of Gravity
the point at which the
entire WEIGHT of a body
may be considered as
concentrated

Center of Mass
the point at which the
entire AMOUNT OF
MATTER in a body may
be considered as
concentrated

CG or CM?
Depends on the intensity of the
effect of gravity on a body

Centroid
the geometric center of
an AREA

centroid

centroid

Centroid or CM?

Centroid

CM

Centroid, CM, CG
Uniform pull
of gravity

B
A

lighter
denser

1.) Where is the centroid?

2.) Where is the center of mass?
3.) Where is the center of gravity?

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Stability
The property of a body that causes it to develop
actions that restore the state of equilibrium

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Effect of CG on Stability

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Effect of CG on Stability

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Stable vs Unstable Equilibrium

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Effect of Shape and CG on Stability

A stable object has a wide base, low

CG, or both a wide base and low
CG.

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Stability

Stability
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ES 10 Lecture 4