Here?s a cardboard cutout in the shape of a butterfly. When suspended by a strin
ID: 2236756 • Letter: H
Question
Here?s a cardboard cutout in the shape of a butterfly. When suspended by a string attached to a little hole, it hangs in the orientation shown. Several locations on the butterfly are marked by an X. Which of them could be the center of gravity of the butterfly? Explain your reasoning, with the help of a free-body diagram, and making use of ideas of torque and equilibrium.
Here?s a cardboard cutout in the shape of a butterfly. When suspended by a string attached to a little hole, it hangs in the orientation shown. Several locations on the butterfly are marked by an X. Which of them could be the center of gravity of the butterfly? Explain your reasoning, with the help of a free-body diagram, and making use of ideas of torque and equilibrium.Explanation / Answer
We see that the butterfly has two lines of symmetry, one which bisects the wings and the other which divides the body in equal halves.
Since they meet on the lowermost cross, it should be the centre of gravity of the butterfly.