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Title: Aim: Apparatus/Materials:: Centre of Gravity To Locate The Centre of Gravity of An Irregular Shaped Lamina

This document describes an experiment to locate the centre of gravity of an irregular shaped lamina. The apparatus used includes the lamina, a retort stand, plumbline, pin and cork. By suspending the lamina on a pivot and recording the position of the plumbline after the lamina reaches equilibrium in different positions, the intersection of the plumbline positions gives the centre of gravity. Repeating the procedure and taking precautions ensures an accurate location of the centre of gravity. The centre of gravity affects an object's stability, so is an important consideration for engineering design.

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erica
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50 views

Title: Aim: Apparatus/Materials:: Centre of Gravity To Locate The Centre of Gravity of An Irregular Shaped Lamina

This document describes an experiment to locate the centre of gravity of an irregular shaped lamina. The apparatus used includes the lamina, a retort stand, plumbline, pin and cork. By suspending the lamina on a pivot and recording the position of the plumbline after the lamina reaches equilibrium in different positions, the intersection of the plumbline positions gives the centre of gravity. Repeating the procedure and taking precautions ensures an accurate location of the centre of gravity. The centre of gravity affects an object's stability, so is an important consideration for engineering design.

Uploaded by

erica
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title: Centre of gravity

Aim: To locate the centre of gravity of an irregular shaped lamina.

Apparatus/Materials:
 Lamina
 Retort stand
 Plumbline
 Pin
 Cork

Diagram:

FOR TEACHERS ONLY


SKILLS ASSESSED M/M ORR A/I P/D
MARK OBTAINED
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Principle/Theory:

We define the centre of gravity of an object as the point through which its whole weight
acts for any orientation of the object.

The point where all the three lines cross is the centre of gravity of the object. The centre
of gravity does not have to be within the object itself .for example the centre of gravity of
a uniform ring is nowhere near the ring itself .it is in the gap in the centre of the ring .

Procedure:

1. A hole was placed close the edge of the lamina.


2. The lamina was suspended on the pivot, so that it can swing freely on the retort
stand.
3. After the lamina was in equilibrium. The position of the plumbline was recorded
by putting an X as close to the edge as possible.
4. Another hole was placed in the lamina. The procedure was repeated to locate the
new position of the plumbline.
5. The steps were repeated to find the final position of the plumbline.

Observations/Results;

If the lamina is in two dimensions (i.e. not curled round into a third dimension) then the
centre of gravity will be somewhere within the flat shape. The position of the centre of
gravity will depend on the distribution of mass across the lamina. If the lamina is curled
round into a third dimension then the centre of gravity will be somewhere within the
volume enclosed, fully or partially, by the lamina; this may or may not be on the
lamina.The procedures were repeated to ensure wetherr th

FOR TEACHERS ONLY


SKILLS ASSESSED M/M ORR A/I P/D
MARK OBTAINED
YY MM DD

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that the center of gravity of an irregular shaped lamina can found
using plumline method.

Limitations

*Sources of error
 The position of the plumline might not have been recorded correctly.
* Precaution
 It was ensured that the thread and the weight stopped swinging before the position
was recorded.
 It was ensured that there was no disturbance during the experiment.

Reflection:
The position of the centre of gravity of an object affects its stability. The lower the centre
of gravity (G) is, the more stable the object. The higher it is the more likely the object is
to topple over if it is pushed. Racing cars have low centre of gravity so that they can
corner rapidly without turning over. Engineer use the centre of gravity to successful
design of a plane. Due to external and internal forces, and moments acting upon the
airplane in flight, its motion is performed about its center of gravity

FOR TEACHERS ONLY


SKILLS ASSESSED M/M ORR A/I P/D
MARK OBTAINED

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