WTMA Center of Gravity and Stability 3

Question 1

A rectangular block is tipped until it balances on its corner. At that tipping point, the center of gravity is located:

Accepted Answer

Directly above the pivot corner

Answer

An object is at the tipping point when its center of gravity is directly over the pivot point — any further tipping causes it to fall.

Question 2

A shelf bracket is rated to hold 50 lbs when the load is placed 6 inches from the wall. If the same 50 lb load is placed 12 inches from the wall, the bracket experiences:

Accepted Answer

Twice the stress because the moment arm doubled

Answer

Torque equals force times distance; doubling the distance from the pivot (wall) doubles the bending moment on the bracket.

Question 3

A motorcycle is more stable against tipping side-to-side when traveling at speed primarily because of:

Accepted Answer

Gyroscopic effect from the spinning wheels resisting lean

Answer

Spinning wheels create gyroscopic stability that resists changes in the lean angle, helping keep the motorcycle upright.

Question 4

A crane lifts a load on a long boom extended horizontally. As the boom extends farther out, the crane's overall center of gravity:

Accepted Answer

Moves toward the load side

Answer

Extending the boom moves the suspended load farther from the crane's base, shifting the combined center of gravity toward the load side.

Question 5

An empty oil drum standing upright has its center of gravity approximately:

Accepted Answer

At the midpoint of its height

Answer

A uniform hollow cylinder has its center of gravity at the geometric center, which is at the midpoint of its height.

WTMA - Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude Practice Test

WTMA - Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude Practice Test

WTMA Center of Gravity and Stability 3