center of gravity

• the center of gravity is the point at which the mass of the body may be thought to be concentrated
• a body is stable as long as the line of action of its weight lies inside the base of the body
• factors that make a body stable:

  • a wide base
  • a low center of gravity
• factors that make a body unstable:

  • a small narrow base
  • a high center of gravity
• an equilibrium is possible is the sum of forces in one direction is equal to the sum of forces in another direction.