SDA Physics Factors Affecting Stability
• Low Center of Mass: Increases stability.
• Wide Base: Increases stability.
• Line of Gravity within Base: Ensures stability. If
Mass, Weight & Center of Mass
outside, the object topples.
Mass
Key Points:
• Definition: The amount of matter in an object. Mass is constant, weight varies with gravity.
Scalar quantity. Inertia resists motion changes, proportional to mass.
• Unit: Kilogram (kg). Center of mass influences balance and stability.
• Significance: Determines inertia (resistance to
change in motion). QUIZ
Inertia
• Definition: Tendency of an object to resist 1. Define mass and state its SI unit.(1 mark)
changes in its state of motion (rest or constant 2. Explain how inertia is related to mass.(2
velocity). marks)
• Relationship to Mass: Directly proportional. 3. A 5 kg object is placed on the Moon, where
Greater mass = greater inertia.
the gravitational field strength is 1.6 N/kg.
Weight
Calculate its weight on the Moon.(2 marks)
• Definition: Force of gravity acting on an object's
4. Describe the difference between mass and
mass. Vector quantity, always acts downwards.
weight. (3 marks)
• Formula: Weight (N) = Mass (kg) x Gravitational
Field Strength (g) (9.8 N/kg on Earth) 5. A uniform meter rule is balanced at its
• Unit: Newton (N) center. A 100 g mass is placed at the 20 cm
Measurement mark. Where should a 50 g mass be placed to
• Mass: Beam balance or electronic balance. restore balance? (3 marks)
• Weight: Spring balance or Newton meter. 6. Explain how the position of an object's center
of mass affects its stability. (3 marks)
Center of Mass 7. An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg. What is
• Definition: Point where an object's weight is their weight on Earth and on the International
evenly distributed; acts as if the entire mass is Space Station (where g = 8.7 N/kg)? Explain the
concentrated there. difference in their weight. (4 marks)
• Location: 8. A rectangular lamina measures 10 cm by 20
Symmetrical objects: Geometric center. cm. It has a circular hole of radius 2 cm cut out
Irregular objects: Found experimentally. from its center. Describe how you would
Center of Mass of Plane Lamina determine the center of mass of this lamina
Determination: experimentally. (4 marks)
1. Suspend lamina freely from a point.
9. A car is designed with a low center of mass.
2. Draw a vertical line (plumb line) from the
point of suspension.
Explain how this improves the car's stability
3. Repeat from another point. when cornering. (4 marks)
4. Intersection of lines marks center of mass. 10. A uniform rod of length 1 m and mass 0.5 kg
is pivoted at its center. A 0.2 kg mass is placed
20 cm from one end of the rod. Where should a
0.3 kg mass be placed to balance the rod? (5
marks) draw a diagram.
