Because g varies so little over the extent of most structures, any structures center of gravity effectively coincides with its center of mass. Here is a fictitious example where g varies more significantly. Figure 12-25 shows an array of six particles, each with mass m, fixed to the edge of a rigid structure of negligible mass. The distance between adjacent particles along the edge is 2.00 m. The following table gives the value of g (m/s2 ) at each particles location. Using the coordinate system shown, find (a) the x coordinate xcom and (b) the y coordinate ycom of the center of mass of the six-particle system.Then find (c) the x coordinate xcog and (d) the y coordinate ycog of the center of gravity of the six-particle system.
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Question
Figure 12-31 shows the anatomical structures in the lower leg and foot that are involved in standing on tiptoe, with the heel raised slightly off the floor so that the foot effectively contacts the floor only at point P. Assume distance a = 5.0 cm, distance b = 15 cm, and the person’s weight W = 900 N. Of the forces acting on the foot, what are the
(a) magnitude and
(b) direction (up or down) of the force at point A from the calf muscle and the
(c) magnitude and
(d) direction (up or down) of the force at point B from the lower leg bones?
Solution
Step 1 of 4
Distance between A to B: \(a=5 \mathrm{~cm}=0.05 \mathrm{~m}\)
Distance between B to point P where tips touches ground: \(b=15 \mathrm{~cm}=0.15 \mathrm{~m}\)
Weight of the person: W = 900 N
It is to be understood that when the person stands tiptoe at a point P, the weight of the person is concentrated at that point. Thus the reactionary force at point P is upwards and equal to the weight of person in magnitude,
\(F_{P}=900 N\) .................................................{1}
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