How Much Energy Is Needed to Tip a Can?

[Juanka]

I want to calculate the minimum energy required to tip a can. (I have a mouse trap and have calculated the potential energy and I want to verify that it indeed can tip over my can.)

I am thinking I have to calculate the potential energy of the can just as it is tipping and that is the potential energy required to tip the can is that correct?

 

[jehan60188]

how about this

calculate the potential energy of the untouched can (the can, sitting on level ground, in a stable equilibrium position)
u1 = mg*h1
h1 = height of center of gravity of can

calculate the potential energy of the can just barely about to tip
u2 = mg*h2
h2 = height of center of gravity of can as it's about to tip

E = u2-u1

 

[Juanka]

I thought about that however I cannot figure out the geometry to calculate the new height of the center of gravity.

I know the distance (x value) it will move is equal to (1/2*r), however I do not know how to calculate the height (i am looking at a triangle with only two knowns (90 deg angle and x dist of 1/2*r)

 

[jehan60188]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg651/scaled.php?server=651&filename=23925225.png&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg651/scaled.php?server=651&filename=23925225.png&res=medium

this should help