Engineering Mechanics Questions and Answers – Centre of Mass

This set of Engineering Mechanics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Centre of Mass”.

1. Mass is best given by _______
a) Product of volume and density
b) Ratio of mass to density
c) Addition of mass and density
d) Subtraction of mass and density
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The density is the ration of the mass to the volume of the body. Thus arranging them and the volume is said to be as ratio of mass to density. This equation is generally used in the calculations of the centroid of the body or the centre of mass.

2. We use sometimes the measures to know the direction of moment in the calculations of the centre of mass. It is done by right handed coordinate system. Which is right about it(consider the mentioned axis to be positive)?
a) Thumb is z-axis, fingers curled from x-axis to y-axis
b) Thumb is x-axis, fingers curled from z-axis to y-axis
c) Thumb is y-axis, fingers curled from x-axis to z-axis
d) Thumb is z-axis, fingers curled from y-axis to x-axis
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: As right handed coordinate system means that you are curling your fingers from positive x-axis towards y-axis and the thumb which is projected is pointed to the positive z-axis. Thus visualizing the same and knowing the basic members of axis will not create much problem.

3. The total of all the masses of small particles adds up to give the total body mass. This mass lies along with gravity gives a force vector which is being passed by ________
a) Axis of rotation
b) Axis of rolling
c) Centre of Gravity
d) Centre of mass
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The total body mass along with the product of gravity always passes through the centre of gravity. All the forces are parallel is the right answer. Thus the total sum of all these small weights add up to the total weight of the body. Which passes through the centre of gravity.
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4. The all small masses that are being applied by all the infinite particles of the body act __________ to each other.
a) Parallel
b) Perpendicular
c) Collinear
d) Divergent
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: All the small masses that are being applied by all the particles are being applied by them parallel to themselves. Thus the parallel is the right answer. Thus the total sum of all these small weights add up to the total weight of the body.

5. A body’s all small particles have a small mass which is being applied by them to the body, which adds up to the total mass of the body.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The weight of the body is the sum of the all the small masses that are been applied by all the particles. The smaller the particle the smaller the mass it applies. Thus the total mass of the body is the summation of all the infinite number of small masses applied to the body.

6. What is not the condition for the equilibrium in calculations involved in the determination of the centre of mass?
a) ∑Fx=0
b) ∑Fy=0
c) ∑Fz=0
d) ∑F≠0
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: For the equilibrium in the three dimensional system of axis we have all the conditions true as, ∑Fx=0, ∑Fy=0 and ∑Fz=0. Also we have the summation of the forces equal to zero. Which is not a non-zero value.

7. We first make equilibrium equations of the body by considering all the three dimensional forces and then the free body diagram is made and then equations are made to be applied so as to calculate the centre of mass.
a) The first part of the statement is false and other part is true
b) The first part of the statement is false and other part is false too
c) The first part of the statement is true and other part is false
d) The first part of the statement is true and other part is true too
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: We first make the free body diagram and then we make the equilibrium equations to satisfy the given conditions. This helps us to solve the question easily. As this reduces the part of imagination and increases accuracy too.
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8. If solving the question in 3D calculations is difficult, then use the 2D system and then equate the ratio of the product of the centroid of the section to its mass to the total mass of the body to the centre of mass.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The answer is obviously yes. If we are having any difficulty in making the vector components, then we can go in 2D. As if the particle is in equilibrium, the net force will be zero. No matter where you see first. Net force is zero.

9. Determine the y coordinate of centroid of the wire in the shape of circle as shown.

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Find the y coordinate of centroid of the wire in the shape of circle as shown

a) 2R/π
b) 2/π
c) 2R/3
d) 2R/5
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The weight of the body is the sum of all the small weights that are been applied by all the particles. The smaller the particle the smaller the weight it applies. Thus the total weight of the body is the summation of all the infinite number of small weights applied to the body.

10. One of the use of the centre of mass or centroid is as in the simplification of the loading system the net force acts at the ___________ of the loading body.
a) Centroid
b) The centre axis
c) The corner
d) The base
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In the simplification of the loading system the net force acts at the centroid of the loading body. That is if the loading system is in the form of the triangle then the at the distance 2 by 3 of the base the net force of the loading will act. And the load will be half the area of the loading.

11. The body is sometimes acted by two or three force members. The difference between the two and the three force members is ________________
a) The former is collinear and the latter is parallel
b) The former is parallel and the latter is perpendicular
c) The former is perpendicular and the latter is collinear
d) The former is acting on two points in the body while the latter is on three points
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The definition of the two force member only defines that the forces are being acted on the two points on the body. So does is the definition of the three forces members. The points of action of the three forces are three.

12. Determine the x coordinate of centroid of the wire in the shape of circle as shown.
Find the x coordinate of centroid of the wire in the shape of circle as shown
a) 2R/π
b) 2/π
c) 2R/3
d) 2R/5
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The weight of the body is the sum of the all the small weights that are been applied by all the particles. The smaller the particle the smaller the weight it applies. Thus the total weight of the body is the summation of all the infinite number of small weights applied to the body.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Engineering Mechanics.

To practice all areas of Engineering Mechanics, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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