Continue with Microsoft TeamsCentre of Gravity
in Structures
Vocabulary
Read the vocabulary terms to understand the reading better.
Centre of Gravity
The centre of gravity of an object is the point where the weight is even on all sides.
Load
A load is the mass or weight supported by something.
Structure
A structure is something that is made from different parts and joined together in a certain way to support a load.
All structures have a centre of gravity. A low centre of gravity makes a structure more stable. A structure with a low centre of gravity will not tip over easily.
If the heaviest part is near the bottom, the centre of gravity is low. If the heaviest part is near the top, the centre of gravity is higher.
Centre of Gravity and Loads
A structure holds a load. The load can change where the centre of gravity is. If you balance a ruler on one finger and place an eraser on one end, the eraser is the load. The ruler’s centre of gravity changed when you added a load at one end. The centre of gravity moved closer to the load.
A ladder is a structure. The person on the ladder is the load. When a person stands on the bottom step of a ladder, the centre of gravity is low. The ladder is very stable. When a person stands on the top step, the centre of gravity is higher. The ladder is easier to tip over.
To learn more about the centre of gravity, watch the video by Science Max on YouTube.
Show What You Know!
Complete some questions about the reading selection by clicking “Begin Questions” below.
