1 A uniform solid rectangular prism has cross-section with width \(w \mathrm {~cm}\) and height 24 cm . Another uniform solid prism has cross-section in the shape of an isosceles triangle with width \(w \mathrm {~cm}\) and height \(h \mathrm {~cm}\). The prisms are both placed with their axes vertical on a rough horizontal plane (see Fig. 1.1, which shows the cross-sections through the centres of mass of both solids).
\begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6418c1b7-092a-4747-bc88-1b57815c6ad9-2_520_1123_520_246}
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\caption{Fig. 1.1}
\end{figure}
The plane is slowly tilted and both solids remain in equilibrium until the angle of inclination of the plane reaches \(\alpha\), when both solids topple simultaneously.
- Determine the value of \(h\).
It is given that \(w = 12\).
- Determine the value of \(\alpha\).
Both prisms are made from the same material and are of uniform density. The triangular prism is now placed on top of the rectangular prism to form a composite body C such that the base of the triangular prism coincides with the top of the rectangular prism. A cross-section of C is shown in Fig. 1.2.
\begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6418c1b7-092a-4747-bc88-1b57815c6ad9-2_777_439_1784_258}
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\caption{Fig. 1.2}
\end{figure} - Determine the height of the centre of mass of C from its base.