WTMA Center of Gravity and Stability 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A forklift carries a heavy load at a raised height. Compared to carrying the same load at ground level, the forklift is:
- More stable because the load is visible
- Less stable because the center of gravity is higher (Correct answer)
- Equally stable regardless of load height
- More stable because the forks support the weight
Correct answer: Less stable because the center of gravity is higher
Raising a load raises the combined center of gravity, reducing stability and increasing tip-over risk.
Question 2: Two identical boxes are placed on a shelf — one near the front edge and one near the back. Which arrangement is more stable?
- Box near the front edge
- Box near the back edge (Correct answer)
- Both are equally stable
- Stability depends on box weight, not position
Correct answer: Box near the back edge
The box placed farther from the edge (near the back) has its center of gravity well within the support base, making it more stable.
Question 3: A tall filing cabinet and a short, wide file drawer unit have the same weight. Which is more likely to tip over when a top drawer is pulled open?
- The short wide unit
- The tall filing cabinet (Correct answer)
- Both tip equally
- Neither would tip
Correct answer: The tall filing cabinet
The tall cabinet has a higher center of gravity, so opening a top drawer shifts weight farther from the base, increasing tip-over risk.
Question 4: A boat has passengers who all move to one side. What happens to the boat's stability?
- Stability increases because weight is consolidated
- Stability decreases as the center of gravity shifts toward the side (Correct answer)
- Stability is unaffected since total weight doesn't change
- The boat sinks lower but remains equally stable
Correct answer: Stability decreases as the center of gravity shifts toward the side
Shifting all passengers to one side moves the center of gravity laterally, reducing stability and risking capsizing.
Question 5: A ladder leaning against a wall is more stable when:
- The base is placed closer to the wall
- The base is spread farther from the wall at a shallower angle (Correct answer)
- The ladder is extended to maximum height
- A person stands on the top rung
Correct answer: The base is spread farther from the wall at a shallower angle
A shallower ladder angle places the base farther out, widening the support base and lowering the effective center of gravity.
Question 6: Which vehicle configuration has the highest center of gravity?
- A sports car with a low-slung body
- A loaded dump truck with the bed fully raised (Correct answer)
- A compact sedan with a full trunk
- A flatbed truck carrying lumber strapped at bed level
Correct answer: A loaded dump truck with the bed fully raised
A dump truck with the bed raised places a large load mass high above the chassis, dramatically raising the center of gravity.
Question 7: An L-shaped bracket is bolted to a wall and supports a horizontal shelf. The center of gravity of objects placed on the shelf is located:
- At the wall attachment point
- Above the bracket, shifted toward the outer edge of the shelf (Correct answer)
- Directly at the floor beneath the bracket
- Inside the wall where the bolt anchors
Correct answer: Above the bracket, shifted toward the outer edge of the shelf
Objects on the horizontal shelf have their center of gravity above the shelf surface and outward from the wall, creating a cantilever load.
WTMA Center of Gravity and Stability 2
A forklift carries a heavy load at a raised height.
Compared to carrying the same load at ground level, the forklift is: