Center Of Mass - Leaning Tower On Incline Plane

Purpose

To demonstrate that an object is in stable equilibrium when its center of mass is above its base.

Equipment

Leaning tower and inclined plane, as photographed.

Images

Description

On a horizontal surface, the addition of the tower top shifts the center of mass, causing the configuration to change from stable (without top) to unstable (with top). When the tower is placed on the incline, even with the top, the configuration is still stable because the center of mass is still over the base.

References

(PIRA unavailable.)