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Re: MOMENT OF INERTIA



On Sat, 19 Dec 1998, brian whatcott wrote:

At 09:08 12/19/98 -0600, Mervin wrote:
...
But, what agent is providing the force that causes the center of mass to
move forward resulting in that torque?

In engineering terms, a dynamic two link mechanism, of which one end is
hinged at floor level.

What provides the hinge? Friction!

Suppose you were standing on a frictionless surface. Could you lean
forward? Could you change the position of your center of mass?

Mervin Koehlinger

Yes for the following conditions:
1) The surface geometry is favorable - corrugations for example

Friction!

2) CofG moves within the base line of your feet for a flat
horizontal plane surface.

Friction!

3) If the effective gravity vector changes, say on the Vomit Comet.

I don't understand what you mean.

4) By falling over - a familiar sight on skating rinks.

Friction!

Mervin Koehlinger
Physics Instructor
Concordia Lutheran High School
Fort Wayne, Indiana