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GCSE Questions: Moments and Centre of Gravity

Q10. In a balancing game, wooden blocks are used to build a tower. The shape of the tower at the start of the game is arrangement A. During the game, some of the blocks are taken out and put on top of the tower as shown in arrangement B. This causes the centre of mass of the tower to change.

(a)

(i) State what is meant by the term ‘centre of mass’.

[1 mark]

(ii) Give two reasons why the tower in arrangement B is less stable than the tower in arrangement A.

[2 marks]

(b) The diagram below shows a different arrangement for the wooden blocks.

 

A block was placed in position X and an identical block was placed in position Y at the same time. Explain why the tower did not fall over.

You should include reference to moments in your answer.

[2 marks]

[5 Marks TOTAL]