Question

Examine the boxes below. Both boxes are identical to one another. The mass of each box is concentrated in the very center, so the center of mass is in the
middle of the box. (Remember that mass is similar to weight) The arrows represent gravity pulling down on the center of mass of each box. Which of the boxes
represents a stable system? if you were to give that box a small push, what would happen to its state of equilibrium? Describe how a disturbance to this box
would affect it. Use the terms center of mass and equilibrium in your response.

Answer 1

Box B shows a stable system. If you were to give a small push to box a, the center of mass would shift and the the equilibrium would become unstable. If box b were to be pushed, the center of mass and equilibrium would both be stable.