B Physics Behind Weebles: Can You Build One?

AI Thread Summary
Weebles maintain stability due to their low center of mass, which is crucial for their wobbling behavior. The discussion explores creating a human-sized Weeble using a hemisphere and calculating the necessary mass at the bottom to achieve stability. Initial calculations suggest an impractically high mass requirement of 274.2 kg, later revised to 500 kg to maintain balance. Adjustments to the positioning of the mass and material density, like using lead, are considered to optimize the design. The conversation highlights the complexity of achieving the desired center of mass for a functional Weeble model.
RMV
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Weebles wobble but they don't fall. I came to know that they wobble and come back to position since the center of mass lies close to the bottom.
Can I apply the formula for center of mass and do a human weeble as in
search


In that case if I consider a hemisphere of radius 60 cm and the average weight of a person as 70 Kg (M2) and height of the person as 175 cm. The center of mass of the person is at his middle at 87.5 cm (R2) from the top of the hemisphere. My aim is to find the mass (M1) to put at the bottom for it to act as a weeble. The center of mass of the system must be at the bottom say 30 cm (R1) from the ground into the hemisphere.
By considering a coordinate system with COM at (0,0), M1 at R1 (- 30,0) and M2 at (117.5,0)
M1 =( M2* R2) / R1
M1 = 70 * 117.5/ 30 = 274.2 kg

But this seems very large! Is it right?
Will I be able to build one?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sounds like a cool project. Is the person standing on top of the hemisphere? You could have the person countersunk into the hemisphere to reduce the center of mass. If you want the center of mass to be 30 cm above the bottom of the hemisphere, then you can't have M1 at (-30,0) since that's the bottom of the hemisphere. The mass has some size, so it would probably be somewhere like (-15,0). Maybe you could make the base out of lead. Concrete might not be dense enough.
 
b300c-10932588_877745252248726_130537866_n.jpg

This is the model.
Khashishi said:
If you want the center of mass to be 30 cm above the bottom of the hemisphere, then you can't have M1 at (-30,0) since that's the bottom of the hemisphere. The mass has some size, so it would probably be somewhere like (-15,0).
Yes, I should have used something around (-15,0).Thanks!
In that case the mass goes to 500 kg ! Is it right? Its hard to believe we need 500 kg to balance 75 kg.
 
  • Like
Likes shihab-kol
Wow.Thats great.
 
hi there can you please send me the mathematical model of weeble mechanism
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks

Similar threads

Back
Top