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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


A uniform meter stick with a mass of 180 g is supported horizontally by two vertical strings, one at the 0-cm mark and the other at the 90-cm mark (Fig. 9–82). What is the tension in the string (a) at 0 cm? (b) at 90 cm?

A shop sign weighing 215 N hangs from the end of a uniform 155-N beam, as shown in Fig. 9–58. Find the tension in the supporting wire (at 35.0°) and the horizontal and vertical forces exerted by the hinge on the beam at the wall. [Hint: First, draw a free-body diagram

A parking garage is designed for two levels of cars. To make more money, the owner decides to double the size of the garage in each dimension (length, width, and the number of levels). For the support columns to hold up four floors instead of two, how should he change the columns' diameter?

(a) Double the area of the columns by increasing their diameters by a factor of 2

(b) Double the area of the columns by increasing their diameters by a factor of \(\sqrt 2 \)

(c) Quadruple the area of the columns by increasing their diameters by a factor of 2

(d) Increase the area of the columns by a factor of 8 by increasing their diameters by a factor of \(2\sqrt 2 \)

(e) He doesn't need to increase the diameter of the columns


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) If 25 kg is the maximum mass mthat a person can hold in a hand when the arm is positioned with a 105° angle at the elbow as shown in Fig. 9–74, what is the maximum force\({F_{{\bf{max}}}}\) that the biceps muscle exerts on the forearm? Assume the forearm and hand have a total mass of 2.0 kg with a CG that is 15 cm from the elbow, and that the biceps muscle attaches 5.0 cm from the elbow.
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