Your task in a science contest is to stack four identical uniform bricks, each of length L, so that the top brick is as far to the right as possible without the stack falling over. Is it possible, as FIGURE P12.60 shows, to stack the bricks such that no part of the top brick is over the table? Answer this question by determining the maximum possible value of d.
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Center of Mass & Simple Balance
Problem 37
Textbook Question
The center of gravity of a loaded truck depends on how the truck is packed. If it is 4.0 m high and 2.4 m wide, and its cg is 2.2 m above the ground, on how steep a slope can the truck be parked without tipping over (Fig. 12–77)?


1
Determine the condition for tipping: The truck will tip over when the line of action of its weight (acting through the center of gravity) falls outside the base of support. This happens when the slope angle is such that the horizontal component of the center of gravity exceeds half the truck's width.
Identify the geometry of the problem: The truck's center of gravity is 2.2 m above the ground, and the truck's width is 2.4 m. The critical tipping angle occurs when the tangent of the slope angle equals the ratio of half the truck's width to the height of the center of gravity.
Write the mathematical expression for the tipping condition: \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{half the width of the truck}}{\text{height of the center of gravity}} \). Substituting the values, \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{2.4 \text{ m} / 2}{2.2 \text{ m}} \).
Solve for the angle \( \theta \): Use the inverse tangent function to find \( \theta \), where \( \theta = \arctan(\tan(\theta)) \). This will give the maximum slope angle at which the truck can be parked without tipping over.
Verify the result: Ensure that the calculated angle is reasonable and consistent with the physical constraints of the problem, such as the truck's dimensions and the slope's geometry.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Center of Gravity
The center of gravity (CG) is the point where the total weight of an object is considered to act. For a loaded truck, the CG shifts based on the distribution of weight within the cargo. Understanding the CG is crucial for determining stability, especially on slopes, as a higher CG can lead to a greater risk of tipping.
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Stability and Tipping
Stability refers to an object's ability to maintain its position without tipping over. When a truck is parked on a slope, the angle of the slope and the height of the CG affect its stability. If the slope is too steep, the line of action of the weight may fall outside the base of support, leading to tipping.
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Slope Angle Calculation
Calculating the maximum slope angle involves using trigonometric relationships, particularly the tangent function, which relates the height of the CG to the horizontal distance from the tipping point. This calculation helps determine the steepest angle at which the truck can remain stable without tipping over.
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Slope
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