15. Figure 12.12a shows a thin, uniform square plate of mass m and side L.

The plate is in a
vertical plane. Find a magnitude of the gravitational torque on the plate about each of the three
points shown

Sol) Torque is defined,

= rF
with a careful consideration of the directions of the r and F. And all plates have its center
L L
of gravity in the middle of the plate. A : = (2) mg = mgL/2 , B : = (2)
L
mg = 0, C = (2) mg = /2

31. A uniform board of length L and weight W is suspended between two vertical walls by
lopes of length L/2 each. When a weight w is placed on the left end of the board, it assumes
the configuration shown in Fig. 12.22. Find a way w in terms of the board weight W.

Sol) We define = 35, = 9.2, = 60 . Net force and moment(torque) equilibrium

condition (here we use x-y coordinates)
= 0: T1 sin = 2 sin

= 0: 1 cos + 2 cos = 0

= 0: sin + (sin + cos ) (sin + cos )2 cos
2 2 2

(cos sin )2 sin = 0
2
After a little bit of calculation, we find
1 1 sin
[2 sin (2 sin( + ) + cos( + )) ]
sin( + )
w=
sin 1 1
[ (2 sin( + ) + cos( + )) 2 (sin + cos )]
sin( + )
= 1.41401991606613 W 1.4 W

52. Three identical books of length L are stacked over the edge of a table as shown in the Fig.
12.29. The top book overhangs the middle one by L/2 so it just barely avoid falling. The middle
book overhangs the bottom one by L/4. How much of the bottom book can overhang the edge
of the table without the books falling?

Sol) Consider the series of books stacking over the edge of a table as shown below. Moment
(Torque) equilibrium tells us that the center of gravity of the first i books (from 1st to ith books),
which we set the 1st book at the top as a reference, should be located to the left of the edge of
the bottom book, i.e. (i+1)th book. It can be expressed as
 1
(1 + 2 + + ) < +1 +
2

This recurrence formula can be easily transformed into

1
(1 + 2 + + ) = +1 +
2
1
(1 + 2 + + 1 ) = + 1
1 2
1
[( 1) ( + 1 ) + ] = +1 +
2 2
L 1
= +1 + + 1 (i = 1, 2, N 1)
2
where, is the arbitrary positive number, which represents the difference between the center
of gravity and the edge of the (i+1)th book.

On the other hand, for = N,

1
( + 2 + + ) =
N 1
1 is maximized when all of the are zero. Then,

= +1 + ( = 1,2, 1)
2

=
2 2
For simple example, N = 1, we simply know that the center of gravity should be located to the
left of the center of a book, which means that 1 = 0. For N = 3, we get

3 =
3
And the overhang of the last book from the edge of a table d3 can be expressed

d3 = 3 + =
2 6

For those interested in the details, see Hall, J. F. (2005). "Fun with stacking blocks". American
Journal of Physics. 73 (12): 11071116. doi:10.1119/1.2074007.

53. A uniform pole of mass M is at rest on an incline of angle secured by a horizontal rope
as shown in Fig. 12. 30. Find the minimum frictional coefficient that will keep the pole from
slipping.

(Sol) Forces and torque (moment) equilibrium gives three equations

= 0 + = 0

= 0 + = 0

= 0 = 0
2
Rearranging the , with respect to , , , .

=
2
= +

= = ( + )
2

(1 + 2 ) =
2
2 2 + 2
= , = =
2(1 + 2 ) 2(1 + 2 ) 2(1 + 2 )

According to the definition of the frictional coefficient

tan
(= )
2 + tan2
58. The wheel in Fig. 12.34 has mass M and is weighted with an additional mass m as shown.
The coefficient of friction is sufficient to keep the wheel from sliding; however, it might still

roll. Show that it wont roll only if > 1
(Sol) Consider the torque = 0 condition about the contact point of the wheel.

(1 ) >

>
1