GCSE Questions: Moments and Centre of Gravity

Q8. The diagram below shows how two forks can be used to make a potato balance on the end of a knife.

(a)

(i) Use a cross to mark the centre of mass of the arrangement in the diagram.

[1 mark]

(ii) State the meaning of the term 'centre of mass'.

[1 mark]

(b) The potato is tilted to one side and then released. The potato and forks then oscillate from side to side. The time taken for half an oscillation is 0.4 seconds.

Calculate the frequency of the oscillations.

[3 marks]

[5 Marks TOTAL]