How many bricks can be put without disordering the equilibrium

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves stacking homogeneous bricks on a horizontal surface, with each subsequent brick shifted horizontally by L/5 from the one below. The main question is how many bricks can be stacked without disrupting equilibrium.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the center of gravity of the bricks and how it affects stability. There are differing opinions on the maximum number of bricks that can be stacked, with some asserting at least three, while others suggest four might be possible. Questions arise about the logic behind the calculations and assumptions made regarding the center of mass.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing diagrams and attempting to clarify their reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the analysis of mass distribution and the importance of understanding the progression of the center of mass as more bricks are added.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to share their diagrams for better insight into their reasoning. There is a focus on understanding the underlying principles rather than simply arriving at a numerical answer.

  • #31
MaiteB said:
In the middle of it?
Yes. Having found that mass centre, how will you decide whether the structure is stable?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
haruspex said:
Yes. Having found that mass centre, how will you decide whether the structure is stable?
I don't know. Could you help me?
 
  • #33
MaiteB said:
I don't know. Could you help me?
There are several ways in which the stack of bricks could be unstable, since it has four possible points of separation: one between the top two bricks, one between the second and third brick, and so on.
In principle, you need to check each of these.
To check one, consider all the bricks above that point as a single unit. If I place an object on the floor, what determines whether it will stay put or fall over? Where does the mass centre need to be in relation to the base?
 

Similar threads

Checking answer to stacking problem
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
What Determines the Maximal Elongation of a Spring in a Pulley System?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
What is the maximum distance of a stable brick stack without overhang?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Equilibrium: Brick on Cylinders
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Finding Height With Projectile Motion
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Doubt on an exercise involving Torque
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
A slanted cylinder full of liquid about to fall
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Problem involving space elevators
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Oscillation of free surface of water in parallelepiped container
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Equilibrium of a stiff plate on inclined planes
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K