3 ms·
I think that is entirely irrelevant. It just changes the speed of the topple. Does not affect at all the tendency to tip over?
by JoeAltmaier 2y ago
I think that is entirely irrelevant. It just changes the speed of the topple. Does not affect at all the tendency to tip over?
- mathgeek 2y agoIt's been a while, but IIRC when we assume all other variables as constant, a lower center of mass (a) will decrease the denominator and thus increase the resulting necessary tipping force. Fₜ = (m × g × cos(θ) × b) / (a + b)
- hansvm 2y agoAdding to the sibling @mathgeek's comment, that's only true when there are no outside forces other than gravity. You can see that by taking the counter-argument to its extreme: with gravity of epsilon, even a gentle prod at the top of the object will topple it over.
- ForOldHack 2y agoPhysics 1A: the center of mass does not change. It is irrelevent. The tendancy to tip over is how wide the base is: look at the LEM. Big wide base. Did not tip over. None of them tipped over. They tip over faster on earth due to larger Earth's gravity and mass.
- hansvm 2y agoA big wide base with a center of mass magically very high off the ground would still be tippy though.
- wruza 2y agoWhen it's "very high off", the base stops being "big wide".
- JoeAltmaier 2y agoThat is exactly a description of why center of mass is the important variable. If the center of mass wanders outside the support point, it tips over. That's the whole deal right there!