Question
Four uniform and identical meter sticks are stacked on a table with 10cm, 60cm, 30cm, and 50cm segments over the edge as shown in figure. Would the meter sticks remains on the table or topple down?
Solution
The metre sticks which are given are identical.
The centre of each stick is located at its mid-point.
Consider, edge O of the table as the reference point.
The distances of centre of gravity of sticks S1, S2, S3, and S4 are,
x1, =40cm, x2 = -10cm, x3 =20cm and x4 =0 cm respectively.
The condition for the meter sticks for not to topple from the table is that, the centre of gravity (CG) of the system of sticks should lie on the right from the edge O.
Let m be the mass of each stick.
The CG of system from the O is,
Since, the CG of the system lies on the table, the system of sticks will not topple over the edge.
The centre of each stick is located at its mid-point.
Consider, edge O of the table as the reference point.
The distances of centre of gravity of sticks S1, S2, S3, and S4 are,
x1, =40cm, x2 = -10cm, x3 =20cm and x4 =0 cm respectively.
The condition for the meter sticks for not to topple from the table is that, the centre of gravity (CG) of the system of sticks should lie on the right from the edge O.
Let m be the mass of each stick.
The CG of system from the O is,
Since, the CG of the system lies on the table, the system of sticks will not topple over the edge.
