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Center of mass and tipping

Change base and center height to see when the gravity line leaves the support.

    E07 · Center of mass and tipping0.00 s · Ready

    Mechanical Engineering · Stability and control / Principles and inquiry

    Center of mass and tipping experiment guide

    Change base and center height to see when the gravity line leaves the support.

    How does it work?

    Tipping starts when the vertical mass-center projection leaves the support.

    Key relationship

    tan θc = (b/2 − offset)/hcg

    Try this investigation

    1. Change base and center height to see when the gravity line leaves the support.
    2. Run and record each of the three reference settings.
    3. Change one variable and compare force, deformation or response with the reference records.

    Interpreting your results

    What determines tipping?

    Gravity line and support area · Tipping starts when the vertical mass-center projection leaves the support.

    Assumptions and limitations

    A rigid block does not slide. Post-tipping rotation is an illustrative interpolation, not impact analysis. Do not tilt heavy real objects.