GENERAL PHYSICS 1

Laboratory Experiment No. 4

Center of Gravity

NAMES: GRADE & SECTION: SCORE_________

I. Objective: To determine the coordinates of the center of gravity of a composite figure

II. Materials/ Apparatuses: Composite figure, push pin, slotted weight/ small metallic object, string/ yarn
III. Diagram:

Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3

IV. Procedure
 In this laboratory experiment titled Center of Gravity, we used a composite figure made of cardboard, a
small metallic object, a push pin, and a string in order to determine the coordinates of the center of gravity of a
composite figure.
Before we proceeded with the experiment, we gathered all the materials needed. Then we made a composite
figure by using an 8 centimeter by 8 centimeter cardboard in which the measurement of each small squares were
2 centimeter by 2 centimeter and then we designed and cut the composite figure. To find the center of gravity of
the composite figure by using the experimental method, we used a push pin then put it at one corner of the
composite figure and the figure rotated freely. When the composite figure rotated freely on the pin, we attached
the string and the small metallic object below. Afterwards, we traced a line by using a pencil and a ruler on the
composite figure and then labeled it as line number 1. Then we transferred the push pin at another corner of the
composite figure, did the same the same rotation process and traced a line then labeled it as line number 2.
Thereafter, we positioned the composite figure at a Cartesian plane and we were able to find the coordinates.
For us to conduct the theoretical method, we divided the composite figure into squares and rectangles and then
marked the figures by numbers. Then we drew diagonals for each of the figures to determine the x and y values.
As we determined all of the center of gravity, areas, and the x and y values, we plotted it at the table. Lastly, we
calculated the area for each figure and its total area. After calculating the total area, we calclabulated of the

A 1 X ,+ A 2 X 2+ A 3 X 3 + A 4 X 4 + A 5 X 5
summation of x and y. To get the summation of X, we used the formula X = AT
and in

A1 Y ,+ A 2 Y 2+ A 3 Y 3 + A 4 Y 4 + A 5 Y 5
order for us to get the summation of Y, we used the formula Y = AT
.
V. Data
Experimental CG
Y

2
CG: x= 4.3, y= 4.4

x
2 4 6 8 10
 Theoretical CG

FIGURE X Y Area

1 1 2 (2)(4)=8

2 3 5 (2)(6)=12

3 5 4 (2)(4)=8

4 7 7 (2)(2)=4

5 7 2 (2)(4)=8

Area: 40

VI. Computation:

A1X1 + A2X2 + A3 X3 + . . . + AnXn A1Y1 + A2Y2 + A3Y3 + . . . + AnYn

X = --------------------------------------------- Y = ---------------------------------------------
AT AT

(8)(1) +(12)(3)+(8)(5)+(4)(7)+(8)(7) (8)(2)+(12)(5)+(8)(4)+(4)(7)+(8)(2)

X = ---------------------------------------------------------- Y = ------------------------------------------------
40 40

168 152
 X = ----------------------------- Y = --------------------
40 40

X = 4.2 Y = 3.8

VII. Discussions/ Observations/Analyses:

Through zoom , we SQ group 5 tackled about the said experiment and assign some task each person to work
on. So we had discussed that the objective of this experiment is to determine the coordinates of the center of
gravity of a composite figure. For us to conduct the experiment the person assigned gathered all the materials
needed for the experiment and followed the procedure of the experiment. As you can see in the figure, all area of
the figure are the same, in the are of (8,8) and all squares is measured in (2,2) area composing the whole figure.
To make the diagram the performer gathered and used all the materials needed. The first figure you can see if the
Center of gravity of the whole figure itself in (4.3,4.4) and the second figure, as you can see the figure was splitted
into other 5 figures with their own center of gravity.And afterwards we listed all the data and calculated it to
determine the area of 5 figures. And to get the summation of x and y. In order for us to get the summation of X we
used the given formula in the procedure. And we came up to the quotient of X=4.2 and Y= 3.8.
 VIII. Conclusions:

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