Tipping something given its center of mass? My LAST homework problem

AI Thread Summary
To determine the angle at which a rectangular block tips over, the center of mass must be directly above the edge of the base. The block has a mass of 3.0 kg, a height of 0.7 m, and a center of mass at 0.40 m. The width is 0.1 m, and the tipping point occurs when the center of mass extends beyond the edge of the base. A diagram can help visualize the triangle formed by the height of the center of mass and the distance from the tipping edge. The angle can be calculated using trigonometric relationships based on these dimensions.
Jaklynn429
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Tipping something given its center of mass? My LAST homework problem!

Homework Statement


A rectangular block of mass 3.0 kg is at rest on a table. Its height (in its current position) is 0.7 m, but because its composition varies vertically, its center of mass is at a height of 0.40 meters. Its width is 0.1 meters in both horizontal directions. At what angle does the block have to be tipped to in order to make it fall over?


Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution


I know that things tip when their center of mass is directly over the normal force. I think I need to make a triangle somehow but the problem has so many weird things in it that I don't know where to begin! Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you!
 
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Jaklynn429 said:

Homework Statement


A rectangular block of mass 3.0 kg is at rest on a table. Its height (in its current position) is 0.7 m, but because its composition varies vertically, its center of mass is at a height of 0.40 meters. Its width is 0.1 meters in both horizontal directions. At what angle does the block have to be tipped to in order to make it fall over?


Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution


I know that things tip when their center of mass is directly over the normal force. I think I need to make a triangle somehow but the problem has so many weird things in it that I don't know where to begin! Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you!

Draw a diagram. When the center of mass is past the edge that you are tipping it about ...

So as you said it's a triangle. What is the angle with the vertical and where the center of mass is relative to the bottom edge.

It's located .4 m up and 1/2 of the width of .1 m over.
 
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