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Drive down to question 6 to find the centre of mass for a car.

Forces - Centre of Mass 02

This GCSE Physics quiz explores centre of mass and stability, showing how designers keep buildings, bridges, and vehicles safe from tipping by controlling weight distribution and support.

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Fascinating Fact:

Designers of buildings, bridges, and vehicles consider centre of mass and stability to reduce the risk of tipping or collapse.

In GCSE Physics, you learn how centre of mass and stability affect everyday structures and objects. Understanding weight distribution helps engineers design safe buildings, vehicles, and bridges that resist toppling.

Key Terms

Centre of mass: The point where the mass of an object can be thought of as concentrated.
Stability: How likely an object is to stay upright and not topple when pushed or tilted.
Base of support: The area under an object that is in contact with the ground or a surface.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the centre of mass in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, the centre of mass is the single point where you can imagine all the mass of an object acting. It helps predict how the object will balance or topple.

How can you increase the stability of an object?

You increase stability by widening the base of support and lowering the centre of mass. This makes it harder for the line of action of the weight to fall outside the base.

Why is centre of mass important in building and bridge design?

Engineers use centre of mass to make sure buildings and bridges remain stable in wind, traffic, and earthquakes. Correct weight distribution reduces the risk of tipping, swaying, or collapse.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

The centre of mass for an object whose mass is equally distributed will lie along a line of symmetry

2 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

Drawing in any two lines of symmetry for regular objects will show you where the centre of mass lies

3 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

The lines of symmetry for a triangle go from a vertice to a point half way along the opposite face

4 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

As with the previous examples, the centre of mass is the centre of symmetry

5 .

The diagram shows a binary star system. Assume that the two stars have the same masses. Where is the centre of mass for the system?

Two stars which are gravitationally attracted to one another will rotate about a point which gives a total moment of 0. The same goes for a planet and its satellites, the point around which they rotate is called the barycentre

6 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

For an actual car, the centre of mass may be shifted slightly further to the front due to the weight of the engine

7 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

A trickier one perhaps, but you should have been choosing between A and B. The centre of mass is seldom at the extreme edge of an object

8 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

This is a regular shape so it could not be any of the others as they are too far to the left or right

9 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?

The symmetry means that you should have been choosing between points A and C

10 .

Which point on the diagram shows approximately where the centre of mass is for the shape, considering that the weight of each shape is evenly distributed across the whole of its surface?