Why are objects with higher center of mass less stable?

[Simfish]

Is it because less force (from, say, potential objects that could tip the object) is required to exert the same amount of torque on objects with higher center of mass?

 

[mgb_phys]

An object falls over when the centre of mass moves outside the base.
Consider what angle you have to tilt a shape through to get to this state.

 

[sir-pinski]

Yes, that is correct. Objects with a higher center of mass have a greater tendency to tip over because they require less force to exert the same amount of torque. This is due to the fact that the center of mass is the point where an object's weight is concentrated, and any force acting on this point will create a rotational motion. Therefore, the higher the center of mass, the easier it is for an external force to cause the object to tip over. On the other hand, objects with a lower center of mass are more stable because they require a greater amount of force to create the same amount of torque. This is why we often see tall and narrow objects, such as ladders or tall buildings, having a wider base to lower their center of mass and increase their stability.