Date: 23/07/2024

Class: #4

Syllabus Topic: Turning Forces, Centre of Gravity and Stability

Title: Turning forces, Levers, Centre of Gravity, Equilibrium

Turning Forces

Question Review:

Recap 1 - Line of best fit

Recap 2 - Gradient of a Line

Recap 3 - Tough vector question

Recap 4 - Moments question

Recaps 1 and 2

Note:

The manipulated variable is placed on the 𝑥-axis.

The responding variable is placed on the 𝑦-axis.

Consider the graph below and answer the following questions:

1. Draw the line of best fit.

2. Find the gradient.

3. What is the distance when 𝑡 = 0?

 Displacement/𝑚

Time/𝑠
 Solutions:
Displacement/𝑚

Time/𝑠
Tips in drawing the line of best fit:

• Visualize a balancing of the points

• When plotting points in the line, you must use one of the following: × or ⊙

Do not use dots: ⋅

Tips after drawing the line of best fit:

• Use points on the line (must) for calculations

• Use points far away as possible. In other words, have a large gradient triangle.

• Find easy to read points.

• Show points on the graph.

• Put units of gradient.

Question:

Required to find the gradient of the line.

Using points from the graph: (12, 36.8) and (1, 6)

𝑦 −𝑦
𝑚 = 𝑥2−𝑥1
2 1

36.8−6
𝑚= 12−1

30.8
𝑚= 11

𝑚 = 2.8 𝑚/𝑠
Note:

Consider the units on the axes to find the units of the gradient.

Unit on 𝑦-axis = 𝑚

Unit on 𝑥-axis = 𝑠

So, gradient = 𝑚/𝑠 or 𝑚𝑠 −1

Question: What is the initial displacement?

From graph, when 𝑡 = 0, 𝑠 = 3.8 𝑚.

Recap 3

Vector Question:

2.0 𝑁

2.10 𝑁 4.85 𝑁

0.65 𝑁

Find the value of the resultant force on the ring.

Solutions:

Upward forces = 2 𝑁 − 0.65 𝑁

Upward forces = 1.35 𝑁 up

Horizontal forces = 4.85 − 2.10

Horizontal forces = 2.75 𝑁 to the right

1.35 𝑁 1.35 𝑁

𝜃
2.75 𝑁

By Pythagoras’ Theorem,

𝑅 2 = (2.75)2 + (1.35)2

𝑅 2 = 9.385

𝑅 = √9.385

𝑅 = 3.06 𝑁 (to 2 decimal places)

Now,

𝑜𝑝𝑝
tan 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗

1.35
tan 𝜃 = 2.75

1.35
𝜃 = tan−1 (2.75)

𝜃 = 26.2° (to 1 decimal place)

∴ 𝑅 = 3.06 𝑁 , 26.2° from the horizontal as shown in the diagram.

Recap 4

Recall: The two conditions required for equilibrium are:

1. Total anticlockwise moments = Total clockwise moments

2. Sum of forces = 0

Worked Example 1

Consider the diagram below:

2.6 × 103 𝑘𝑔

𝑭𝟐
𝑭𝟏

𝑷𝟏 9.8 × 103 𝑘𝑔

| |
28 𝑚

The mass of the bridge is 9.8 × 106 𝑘𝑔.

The mass of the van is 2.6 × 103 𝑘𝑔.

Given that the length of the bridge is 28 𝑚, find the values of 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 .

Solution:

Taking moments about 𝑃1 ,

Total anticlockwise moments = Total clockwise moments

 𝐹2 × 30 = (9.8 × 106 × 10) × 15

15
𝐹2 = 30 × (9.8 × 106 × 10)

𝐹2 = 4.9 × 107 𝑁

Now,

Total upward forces = Total downward forces

𝐹1 + 𝐹2 = 9.8 × 107 𝑁 + (2.6 × 103 × 10) 𝑁

𝐹1 + 4.9 × 107 𝑁 = 9.8 × 107 𝑁 + 2.6 × 104 𝑁

𝐹1 + 4.9 × 107 𝑁 = 9.8026 × 107 𝑁

𝐹1 = 9.8026 × 107 𝑁 − 4.9 × 107 𝑁

𝐹1 = 4.9026 × 107 𝑁

∴ 𝐹1 = 4.9026 × 107 𝑁

𝐹2 = 4.9 × 107 𝑁
Worked Example 2

The figure below shows a see-saw held horizontally (uniform weight) with the pivot being

placed at the centre. The total length of the see-saw is 5 𝑚 long. Calculate the force that was

generated by Ben to keep the system in equilibrium.

Use 𝑔 = 10 𝑁𝑘𝑔−1 .

28 𝑘𝑔 25 𝑘𝑔
Elijah Suzie Ben

| |
1.5 𝑚

Solution:

Force exerted by Elijah = 𝑚𝑔

Force exerted by Elijah = 28 × 10

Force exerted by Elijah = 280 𝑁

Force exerted by Suzie = 𝑚𝑔

Force exerted by Suzie = 25 × 10

Force exerted by Suzie = 250 𝑁

By the Principle of Moments,

Total anticlockwise moments = Total clockwise moments

(280 × 2.5) + (250 × 1.5) = (𝐹𝐵 × 2.5)

700 + 375 = 2.5𝐹𝐵

1075 = 2.5𝐹𝐵

1075
𝐹𝐵 = 2.5

𝐹𝐵 = 430 𝑁
Levers

Types of levers:
According to where the load and effort are located with respect to the fulcrum, there are
three types or classes of lever.

First Class Lever

This is a type of level which has the fulcrum in between the weight and the force applied.
Its order is represented as force-fulcrum-weight. This is the most basic type of lever.

Diagram:

applied
force
load

fulcrum

Examples:

• see-saw
• scissors, pliers, hole puncher
• crowbar
• nail clipper
• a wheel and axle
• pulling a nail out of a wooden plank
Second Class Lever

In this, the fulcrum is at one end and the force applied is on the other end. The weight is
situated in the middle of these two. The order of this would be fulcrum-weight-force. The
application of force at one end will result in some work done on the other end.

Diagram:

load

fulcrum
force

Examples:

• wheelbarrow

• doors or gates

• bottle openers

• nutcracker
Third Class Lever

These are the levers in which the fulcrum is at one end and the force is applied in the middle
and the weight is on the other end. The order is represented as a weight-force-fulcrum. In
this case, we have to apply more energy to displace the weight to a longer distance.

Diagram:

force
load

fulcrum

Examples:

• fishing rod
• a broom
Note: Reason for third class levers
• a baseball bat
is you want more dexterity.
• a bow and arrow
• human jaw
• tweezer
Lab: Centre of Gravity

AIM: To determine the centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped lamina.

APPARATUS: pendulum bob, string, retort stand, clamp, optical pin, cork, lamina.

DIAGRAM:

Title: Determining the centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped lamina.

clamp
cork
optical pin

lamina
retort
stand

string
pendulum
bob
METHOD:

1. The apparatus was set up as shown in the diagram.

2. An irregularly shaped lamina was drawn and cut out.
3. An optical pin was used to make a small hole near the edge of the lamina.
4. A cork was fixed in the clamp. An optical pin was placed through the hole and
pushed into the cork so that the lamina can swing freely.
5. A string of length 40 𝑐𝑚 was used to hang the pendulum bob in front of the lamina
without touching the lamina.
6. The pendulum was allowed to oscillate very slowly until it came to a stop.
7. A cross was marked on the lamina exactly behind the string when it stopped
moving. A dotted line was used to mark the position along the lamina, between the
hole and the cross.
8. Steps 3-7 were repeated for the two other holes.
9. The centre of gravity was determined by the point of intersection of the three dotted
lines.
RESULTS:

Showing the center of gravity of an irregularly shaped lamina.

DISCUSSION:
The centre of gravity of an object can be defined as the point through which its whole
weight acts for any orientation of the object. All points of the experiment were intersected
perfectly. (more discussion points here)

PRE-CAUTIONS:

1. The apparatus was set up on a flat surface.

2. The lamina was prevented from touching the string while it oscillated. The string
must swing freely.

SOURCES OF ERROR:

1. To mark the cross, the string is shifted.

2. A slight breeze kept moving the pendulum bob to oscillate more.

CONCLUSION:
The centre of gravity of an irregular shape was found to be the common point at which all
the lines intersected.
Stability

Stability depends on two things:

• size of the base

• position of the centre of gravity

States of Equilibrium:

• stable equilibrium
• unstable equilibrium
• neutral equilibrium

Stable Equilibrium

If you tip the cone a little, the centre of gravity stays over the base. So, the cone falls back to
its original position.

centre of mass

base
Unstable Equilibrium

The cone is balanced, but only briefly. Its pointed ‘base’ is so small that when pushed slightly,
the cone falls and does not retain its original position.

Neutral Equilibrium

Left alone, the ball stays where it is. When moved, it stays in its new position. Wherever it
lies, its centre of gravity is always exactly over the point which is its ‘base’.
How to collect marks

When describing equilibrium, be sure to include the phrase “line of action of weight” or “line
of action of the centre of gravity” in your response.

When describing 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚, include:

• centre of gravity rises

• line of action of the centre of gravity remains inside the base

• centre of gravity creates a moment that returns it to its original position

When describing 𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚, include:

• centre of gravity falls

• centre of gravity continues falling

• line of action of the centre of gravity (weight of object) is outside the base and creates
a moment that causes it to fall.

When describing 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚, include:

• centre of gravity undergoes no vertical displacement in the presence of a resultant

contact force

• the object rolls

• remains in displaced position