Frame with straight rod/wire components only

Finding the centre of mass of a frame made entirely from straight uniform rods or wires joined together (triangular frames, L-shaped frames, polygonal frames, etc.).

13 questions · Standard +0.4

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CAIE M2 2015 June Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3 A triangular frame \(A B C\) consists of two uniform rigid rods each of length 0.8 m and weight 3 N , and a longer uniform rod of weight 4 N . The triangular frame has \(A B = B C\), and angle \(B A C =\) angle \(B C A = 30 ^ { \circ }\).
  1. Calculate the distance of the centre of mass of the frame from \(A C\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a03ad6c1-b4a3-4007-8d3b-ce289a998a55-2_722_335_1302_904} The vertex \(A\) of the frame is attached to a smooth hinge at a fixed point. The frame is held in equilibrium with \(A C\) vertical by a vertical force of magnitude \(F \mathrm {~N}\) applied to the frame at \(B\) (see diagram).
  2. Calculate \(F\), and state the magnitude and direction of the force acting on the frame at the hinge.
Edexcel M2 2013 January Q1
5 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Two uniform rods \(A B\) and \(B C\) are rigidly joined at \(B\) so that \(\angle A B C = 90 ^ { \circ }\). Rod \(A B\) has length 0.5 m and mass 2 kg . Rod \(B C\) has length 2 m and mass 3 kg . The centre of mass of the framework of the two rods is at \(G\).
    1. Find the distance of \(G\) from \(B C\).
    The distance of \(G\) from \(A B\) is 0.6 m .
    The framework is suspended from \(A\) and hangs freely in equilibrium.
  2. Find the angle between \(A B\) and the downward vertical at \(A\).
OCR M2 2011 January Q1
7 marks Standard +0.3
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{941c0c81-a74f-49c0-acb7-1c23266fc2c8-02_378_471_260_836} A uniform square frame \(A B C D\) has sides of length 0.6 m . The side \(A D\) is removed from the frame, and the open frame \(A B C D\) is attached at \(A\) to a fixed point (see diagram).
  1. Calculate the distance of the centre of mass of the open frame from \(A\). The open frame rotates about \(A\) in the plane \(A B C D\) with angular speed \(3 \mathrm { rad } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\).
  2. Calculate the speed of the centre of mass of the open frame.
OCR MEI M2 Q3
Standard +0.3
3 Fig. 3.1 shows an object made up as follows. ABCD is a uniform lamina of mass \(16 \mathrm {~kg} . \mathrm { BE } , \mathrm { EF }\), FG, HI, IJ and JD are each uniform rods of mass 2 kg . ABCD, BEFG and HIJD are squares lying in the same plane. The dimensions in metres are shown in the figure. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{5dd6ba0d-e516-4b9e-ba19-6e90520b171b-004_627_648_429_735} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.1}
\end{figure}
  1. Find the coordinates of the centre of mass of the object, referred to the axes shown in Fig.3.1. The rods are now re-positioned so that BEFG and HIJD are perpendicular to the lamina, as shown in Fig. 3.2. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{5dd6ba0d-e516-4b9e-ba19-6e90520b171b-004_442_666_1510_722} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.2}
    \end{figure}
  2. Find the \(x\)-, \(y\)-and \(z\)-coordinates of the centre of mass of the object, referred to the axes shown in Fig. 3.2. Calculate the distance of the centre of mass from A . The object is now freely suspended from A and hangs in equilibrium with AC at \(\alpha ^ { \circ }\) to the vertical.
  3. Calculate \(\alpha\).
OCR MEI M2 2009 January Q3
18 marks Standard +0.3
3 A fish slice consists of a blade and a handle as shown in Fig. 3.1. The rectangular blade ABCD is of mass 250 g and modelled as a lamina; this is 24 cm by 8 cm and is shown in the \(\mathrm { O } x y\) plane. The handle EF is of mass 125 g and is modelled as a thin rod; this is 30 cm long and E is attached to the mid-point of \(\mathrm { CD } . \mathrm { EF }\) is at right angles to CD and inclined at \(\alpha\) to the plane containing ABCD , where \(\sin \alpha = 0.6\) (and \(\cos \alpha = 0.8\) ). Coordinates refer to the axes shown in Fig. 3.1. Lengths are in centimetres. The \(y\) and \(z\)-coordinates of the centre of mass of the fish slice are \(\bar { y }\) and \(\bar { z }\) respectively. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3865b4b3-97c7-412b-aabd-2705a954a847-4_517_1068_573_534} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.1}
\end{figure}
  1. Show that \(\bar { y } = 9 \frac { 1 } { 3 }\) and \(\bar { z } = 3\).
  2. Suppose that the plane \(\mathrm { O } x y\) in Fig. 3.1 is horizontal and represents a table top and that the fish slice is placed on it as shown. Determine whether the fish slice topples. The 'superior' version of the fish slice has an extra mass of 125 g uniformly distributed over the existing handle for 10 cm from F towards E , as shown in Fig. 3.2. This section of the handle may still be modelled as a thin rod. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3865b4b3-97c7-412b-aabd-2705a954a847-4_513_1065_1683_539} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.2}
    \end{figure}
  3. In this new situation show that \(\bar { y } = 14\) and \(\bar { z } = 6\). A sales feature of the 'superior' version is the ability to suspend it using a very small hole in the blade. This situation is modelled as the fish slice hanging in equilibrium when suspended freely about an axis through O .
  4. Indicate the position of the centre of mass on a diagram and calculate the angle of the line OE with the vertical.
OCR MEI M2 2005 June Q3
17 marks Standard +0.3
3 Fig. 3.1 shows an object made up as follows. ABCD is a uniform lamina of mass \(16 \mathrm {~kg} . \mathrm { BE } , \mathrm { EF }\), FG, HI, IJ and JD are each uniform rods of mass 2 kg . ABCD, BEFG and HIJD are squares lying in the same plane. The dimensions in metres are shown in the figure. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{43d5bbfb-8726-4bcd-a73d-01728d532e98-4_627_648_429_735} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.1}
\end{figure}
  1. Find the coordinates of the centre of mass of the object, referred to the axes shown in Fig.3.1. The rods are now re-positioned so that BEFG and HIJD are perpendicular to the lamina, as shown in Fig. 3.2. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{43d5bbfb-8726-4bcd-a73d-01728d532e98-4_442_666_1510_722} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.2}
    \end{figure}
  2. Find the \(x\)-, \(y\)-and \(z\)-coordinates of the centre of mass of the object, referred to the axes shown in Fig. 3.2. Calculate the distance of the centre of mass from A . The object is now freely suspended from A and hangs in equilibrium with AC at \(\alpha ^ { \circ }\) to the vertical.
  3. Calculate \(\alpha\).
OCR MEI M2 2014 June Q2
19 marks Standard +0.8
2 Fig. 2.1 shows the positions of the points \(\mathrm { P } , \mathrm { Q } , \mathrm { R } , \mathrm { S } , \mathrm { T } , \mathrm { U } , \mathrm { V }\) and W which are at the vertices of a cube of side \(a\); Fig. 2.1 also shows coordinate axes, where O is the mid-point of PQ . \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{334b2170-3708-46db-bff7-bcad7d5fab00-3_510_494_365_788} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 2.1}
\end{figure} An open box, A, is made from thin uniform material in the form of the faces of the cube with just the face TUVW missing.
  1. Find the \(z\)-coordinate of the centre of mass of A . Strips made of a thin heavy material are now fixed to the edges TW, WV and VU of box A, as shown in Fig. 2.2. Each of these three strips has the same mass as one face of the box. This new object is B. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{334b2170-3708-46db-bff7-bcad7d5fab00-3_488_476_1388_797} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 2.2}
    \end{figure}
  2. Find the \(x\)-and \(z\)-coordinates of the centre of mass of B and show that the \(y\)-coordinate is \(\frac { 9 a } { 16 }\). Object B is now placed on a plane which is inclined at \(\theta\) to the horizontal. B is positioned so that face PQRS is on the plane with SR at right angles to a line of greatest slope of the plane and with PQ higher than SR , as shown in Fig. 2.3. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{334b2170-3708-46db-bff7-bcad7d5fab00-3_237_284_2087_1555} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 2.3}
    \end{figure}
  3. Assuming that B does not slip, find \(\theta\) if B is on the point of tipping. B is now placed on a different plane which is inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. When B is released it accelerates down the plane at \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  4. Calculate the coefficient of friction between B and the inclined plane.
Edexcel FM2 AS 2021 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.8
1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{a7901165-1679-4d30-9444-0c27020e32ea-02_744_805_246_632} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A uniform rod of length \(72 a\) is cut into pieces. The pieces are used to make two rigid squares, \(A B C D\) and \(P Q R S\), with sides of length \(10 a\) and \(8 a\) respectively. The two squares are joined to form the rigid framework shown in Figure 1. The squares both lie in the same plane with the rod \(A B\) parallel to the rod \(P Q\).
Given that
  • \(A D\) cuts \(P Q\) in the ratio \(3 : 5\)
  • \(D C\) cuts \(Q R\) in the ratio 5:3
    1. explain why the centre of mass of square \(A B C D\) is at \(Q\).
    2. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the framework from \(B\).
Edexcel FM2 AS 2024 June Q1
7 marks Standard +0.3
1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{fd8bc7b5-adee-4d67-b15d-571255b00b83-02_586_824_244_623} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A uniform rod of length \(24 a\) is cut into seven pieces which are used to form the framework \(A B C D E F\) shown in Figure 1. It is given that
  • \(A F = B E = C D = A B = F E = 4 a\)
  • \(B C = E D = 2 a\)
  • the rods \(A F , B E\) and \(C D\) are parallel
  • the rods \(A B , B C , F E\) and \(E D\) are parallel
  • \(A F\) is perpendicular to \(A B\)
  • the rods all lie in the same plane
The distance of the centre of mass of the framework from \(A F\) is \(d\).
  1. Show that \(d = \frac { 19 } { 6 } a\)
  2. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the framework from \(A\).
Edexcel M2 2015 June Q3
10 marks Standard +0.8
A thin uniform wire of mass \(12m\) is bent to form a right-angled triangle \(ABC\). The lengths of the sides \(AB\), \(BC\) and \(AC\) are \(3a\), \(4a\) and \(5a\) respectively. A particle of mass \(2m\) is attached to the triangle at \(B\) and a particle of mass \(3m\) is attached to the triangle at \(C\). The bent wire and the two particles form the system \(S\). The system \(S\) is freely suspended from \(A\) and hangs in equilibrium. Find the size of the angle between \(AB\) and the downward vertical. [10]
Edexcel M2 2006 June Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
Figure 1 \includegraphics{figure_1} Figure 1 shows four uniform rods joined to form a rigid rectangular framework \(ABCD\), where \(AB = CD = 2a\), and \(BC = AD = 3a\). Each rod has mass \(m\). Particles, of mass \(6m\) and \(2m\), are attached to the framework at points \(C\) and \(D\) respectively.
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the loaded framework from
    1. \(AB\),
    2. \(AD\).
    [7]
The loaded framework is freely suspended from \(B\) and hangs in equilibrium.
  1. Find the angle which \(BC\) makes with the vertical. [3]
Edexcel M2 2010 June Q3
Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_1} A triangular frame is formed by cutting a uniform rod into 3 pieces which are then joined to form a triangle \(ABC\), where \(AB = AC = 10\) cm and \(BC = 12\) cm, as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the frame from \(BC\). (5)
The frame has total mass \(M\). A particle of mass \(M\) is attached to the frame at the mid-point of \(BC\). The frame is then freely suspended from \(B\) and hangs in equilibrium.
  1. Find the size of the angle between \(BC\) and the vertical. (4)
Edexcel M2 Q6
12 marks Standard +0.3
A uniform wire \(ABCD\) is bent into the shape shown, where the sections \(AB\), \(BC\) and \(CD\) are straight and of length \(3a\), \(10a\) and \(5a\) respectively and \(AD\) is parallel to \(BC\). \includegraphics{figure_6}
  1. Show that the cosine of angle \(BCD\) is \(\frac{3}{5}\). [2 marks]
  2. Find the distances of the centre of mass of the bent wire from (i) \(AB\), (ii) \(BC\). [6 marks]
The wire is hung over a smooth peg at \(B\) and rests in equilibrium.
  1. Find, to the nearest 0.1°, the angle between \(BC\) and the vertical in this position. [4 marks]