Centre of gravity
1.5.6What the syllabus asks of you
- State what is meant by centre of gravity
- Describe how to determine the position of the centre of gravity of a plane lamina using a plumb line
- Describe, qualitatively, the effect of the position of the centre of gravity on the stability of simple objects
Read the notes first
Chapter 1: Centre of gravity
Drill this topic
Every question on Centre of gravity, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
16 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Afrom X towards Y
Bfrom Y towards X
Cfrom Y towards Z
Dfrom Z towards Y
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2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
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3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
AObjects with a centre of gravity at the same height are less stable when the base is larger.
BObjects with a centre of gravity at the same height are more stable when the base is larger.
CObjects with higher centres of gravity and smaller bases are more stable.
DObjects with identical bases are more stable when the centre of gravity is higher.
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4Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q14Show mark scheme →
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5May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AG
BG
CG
DG
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6Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q13Also set in Oct / Nov 2022 Paper 11, May / June 2018 Paper 11, May / June 2018 Paper 12Show mark scheme →
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7May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
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8May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Awith face X on a table
Bwith face Y on a table
Cwith face X on a table and the heavy weight attached centrally on top of the block
Dwith face Y on a table and the heavy weight attached centrally on top of the block
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9Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Acone
Btall cylinder
Cshort cylinder
Dwide cone
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10May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Amaking the tower narrower
Bmaking the tower taller
Clowering the centre of mass
Draising the centre of mass
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11May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Aa balance
Ba measuring tape
Ca micrometer
Da vertical pin
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12May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AThey increase the pressure on the rod.
BThey increase the weight of the model.
CThey lower the centre of mass below the top of the rod.
DThey raise the centre of mass above the top of the rod.
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13Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q10Also set in Oct / Nov 2019 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
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14May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AObjects with a centre of mass at the same height are less stable when the base is larger.
BObjects with a centre of mass at the same height are more stable when the base is larger.
CObjects with higher centres of mass and smaller bases are more stable.
DObjects with identical bases are more stable when the centre of mass is higher.
Mark scheme
15May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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16May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AA
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DD
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