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Chapter 9: Q-15Q (page 230)

Which configuration of bricks, Fig. 9–39a or Fig. 9–39b, is the more likely to be stable? Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The configuration of bricks is more likely to be stable in figure (b).

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the center of gravity and torque

When the center of gravity of a specific system is not above the base of support, it will apply torque to rotate the system.

02

Explanation for the configurations of the bricks in figures (a) and (b)

In figure (a), the bottom brick's center of gravity is at the edge, whereas the top brick has the center of gravity to the right of the table's edge. Due to this, the force of gravity will exert torque on the bricks to roll clockwise off the table.

In figure (b), exactly three-fourth of the mass of the top brick is at the edge of the table, whereas one-fourth of the mass of the bottom brick is at the edge of the table. So, their center of gravity is at the edge of the table.

Therefore, figure (b) is more stable.

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Most popular questions from this chapter


In a mountain-climbing technique called the “Tyrolean traverse,” a rope is anchored on both ends (to rocks or strong trees) across a deep chasm, and then a climber traverses the rope while attached by a sling as in Fig. 9–91. This technique generates tremendous forces in the rope and anchors, so a basic understanding of physics is crucial for safety. A typical climbing rope can undergo a tension force of perhaps 29 kN before breaking, and a “safety factor” of 10 is usually recommended. The length of rope used in the Tyrolean traverse must allow for some “sag” to remain in the recommended safety range. Consider a 75-kg climber at the center of a Tyrolean traverse, spanning a 25-m chasm. (a) To be within its recommended safety range, what minimum distance x must the rope sag? (b) If the Tyrolean traverse is set up incorrectly so that the rope sags by only one-fourth the distance found in (a), determine the tension in the rope. Ignore stretching of the rope. Will the rope break?

(II) A 15-cm-long tendon was found to stretch 3.7 mm by a force of 13.4 N. The tendon was approximately round with an average diameter of 8.5 mm. Calculate Young’s modulus of this tendon.

(II) The subterranean tension ring that exerts the balancing horizontal force on the abutments for the dome in Fig. 9–34 is 36-sided, so each segment makes a 10° angle with the adjacent one (Fig. 9–77). Calculate the tension F that must exist in each segment so that the required force of\(4.2 \times {10^5}\;{\rm{N}}\)can be exerted at each corner (Example 9–13).

(III) A steel cable is to support an elevator whose total (loaded) mass is not to exceed 3100 kg. If the maximum acceleration of the elevator is \({\bf{1}}{\bf{.8}}\;{\bf{m/}}{{\bf{s}}^{\bf{2}}}\), calculate the diameter of the cable required. Assume a safety factor of 8.0.

A 2.0-m-high box with a 1.0-m-square base is moved across a rough floor as in Fig. 9–89. The uniform box weighs 250 N and has a coefficient of static friction with the floor of 0.60. What minimum force must be exerted on the box to make it slide? What is the maximum height h above the floor that this force can be applied without tipping the box over? Note that as the box tips, the normal force and the friction force will act at the lowest corner.
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