Question: 1
Define the term ‘centre of gravity of a body’.
Solutions:
The centre of gravity of a body is defined as the point about which the algebraic
sum of moments of weights of particles constituting the body is zero and the entire
weight of the body is considered to act at this point.
Question: 2
Can the centre of gravity of a body be situated outside its material of the body?
Give an example.
Solutions:
Yes, the centre of gravity of a body can be situated outside its material of the body.
Example: centre of gravity of a ring.
Question: 3
State factor on which the position of the centre of gravity of a body depend?
Explain your answer with an example.
Solutions:
Centre of gravity of a body of given mass position depends on its shape i.e on the
distribution of mass. For example: Uniform wire’s centre of gravity is at its
midpoint. But if this wire is bent to make a circle, its centre of gravity will then be
at the centre of the circle.
Question: 4
What is the position of the centre of gravity of a:
(a) rectangular lamina
(b) cylinder?
Solutions:
(a) The position of centre of gravity of a rectangular lamina is at the point of
intersection of its diagonals.
(b) The position of centre of gravity of a cylinder is at the midpoint on the axis of
the cylinder.
Question: 5
At which point is the centre of gravity situated in:
(a) A triangular lamina and
(b) A circular lamina?
Solutions:
(a) A triangular lamina’s centre of gravity is situated at the point of intersection of
its medians.
(b) A circular lamina’s centre of gravity is situated at the centre of the circular
lamina.
Question: 6
Where is the centre of gravity of a uniform ring situated?
Solutions:
Uniform ring’s centre of gravity is situated at the centre of the ring.
Question: 7
A square card board is suspended by passing a pin through a narrow hole at its one
corner. Draw a diagram to show its rest position. In the diagram mark the point of
suspension by the letter S and centre of gravity by the letter G.
A square cardboard in rest position as centre of gravity as G and point of
suspension as S
Question: 8
Explain how you will determine experimentally the position of the centre of
gravity for a triangular lamina (or a triangular piece of cardboard).
Solutions:
Take a triangular lamina. Near the edge of triangular lamina make three fine holes
at a, b, c. Now along with a plumb line from hole ‘a’ suspend the given lamina.
Check that the lamina is free to oscillate about the point of suspension. Draw a
straight line ad along the plumb line when lamina has come to rest. We get straight
lines ‘be’ and ‘cf’ respectively by repeating the experiment by suspending the
lamina through-hole ‘b’ and then through hole ‘c’. It is noticed that the common
point G is the position of the centre of gravity of triangular lamina where the lines
ad, be and cf intersect each other i.e the point of intersection of medians.
Question: 9
State whether the following statements are true or false.
(i) ‘The position of the centre of gravity of a body remains unchanged even when
the body is deformed’.
(ii) ‘The centre of gravity of a freely suspended body always lies vertically below
the point of suspension’.
Solutions:
(i) False, the centre of gravity of a body of given mass position depends on its
shape i.e on the distribution of mass in it.
(ii) True
Question: 10
A uniform flat circular rim is balanced on a sharp vertical nail by supporting it at
point A, as shown in Fig. Mark the position of the centre of gravity of the rim in
the diagram by the letter G.
Question: 11
Figure shows three pieces of cardboard of uniform thickness cut into three
different shapes. On each diagram draw two lines to indicate the position of the
centre of gravity G.
MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE
Question: 1
The centre of gravity of a uniform ball is
(a) At its geometrical centre
(b) At its bottom
(c) At its topmost point
(d) At any point on its surface
Solutions:
The correct answer is (a)
The centre of gravity of a uniform ball is at its geometrical centre.
Question: 2
The centre of gravity of a hollow cone of height h is at distance x from its vertex
where the value of x is:
(a) h/3
(b) h/4
(c) 2h/3
(d) 3h/4
Solutions:
The correct answer is (c)
The centre of gravity of a hollow cone of height h is at distance x from its vertex
where the value of x is 2h / 3
