Chapter 11, Problem 54A

Suspend a belt from a piece of stiff wire that is bent as shown. Why does the belt balance as it does?

To determine

To explain: The reason behind the balancing by belt.

Answer to Problem 54A

The belt balance as it does because the center of gravity is directly below the balance point.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The point of an object of a system of objects to which the weighted relative positions are totally zero is considered as the center of mass. Under the influences of an external force, the center of mass describes the overall motion of the system.

The center of mass is the point of an object of a system of objects to which the weighted relative positions are totally zero. Therefore, the wire’s center of mass and that of belt is directly underneath the supporting point of the wire.

Conclusion:

Thus, the belt balance as it does.