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Question
The diagram below shows a bus in two positions.
The centre of gravity of the bus is marked with a G.
For each position describe and explain what happens to the bus.
Position 1
- The bus does not topple over.
- This is because the centre of gravity G is inside the wheel base. The weight produces a clockwise moment about the pivot, pulling the bus back onto its base.
Position 2
- The bus topples over.
- This is because the centre of gravity G is outside the wheel base. The weight produces an anticlockwise moment about the pivot, pulling the bus off its base and on to its side.