Calculating Centre of Mass for 2D Car with Added Load: Homework Help

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the necessary load to shift the center of mass of a 2D car, the initial center of mass is 1.125m from the front wheels, with a target of 1.4m. The problem involves using turning moments about the front wheels to find the forces acting on the car. By establishing relationships between the forces at the front and rear wheels, the load's required weight can be derived. The final calculation shows that the load must be approximately 11/96 of the car's weight to achieve the desired center of mass. Understanding these moments and forces is crucial for solving similar physics problems.
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Homework Statement



the centre of mass for a 2D car is 1.125m towards the rear wheels from the front wheels, there is then 1.675m to the rear wheels. If a load with a centre of mass 0.4m from the rear wheels towards the back of the car is added how heavy does this load need to be to move the centre of mass to the middle of the front and rear wheels i.e 1.4m backwards from the front wheels.

Can someone please give me an idea of how to do this question
 
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Use turning moments of force, take moments about the front wheels.
 
Last edited:
Front wheels - A
Rear wheels - B
Centre of Gravity - X
Load - Y

Taking moments about A:

Initially:

<br /> F_B = \frac{45}{112} F_X<br />

Add the load:

<br /> F_X = 2F_B + \frac{12}{7} F_Y<br />

<br /> F_X = \frac{45}{56} F_X + \frac{12}{7} F_Y<br />

<br /> F_Y = \frac{11}{96} F_X<br />
 
please see the solution on the attached doc file
 

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thanks a lot that is perfect i understand it now
 

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