THE STABILITY OF BODIES. 



115 



side of the nearer edge. For in this case the centre of 

 gravity describes the arc ss^ and is raised through the 

 space a s l ; while, if overturned about the other edge, 

 the centre of gravity will have to describe the longer arc 



\ a 



\ 



FIG. 84. 



5 2 , and be raised through the larger space bs 2 . The 

 stability of a body is thus increased if the centre of 

 gravity is in all directions as far as possible from the 

 edges round which the body can turn; that is, if the 

 base on which the body rests is as extended as possible. 

 The body represented in fig. 85 consists half of iron, 

 half of wood. Its centre of gravity is, therefore, not in 

 its centre, but falls within the mass of iron. In the 

 position A the centre of gravity is higher than in the 

 position B. In the first position the centre of gravity, 

 the body be turned about the edge, describes the arc 

 i, which has comparatively little curvature, and 

 it the same time the centre of gravity is raised through 

 |ii. In the second position, the more curved and 

 herefore longer arc ss 2 is described by the centre of 

 gravity, which is also raised through the larger space 

 V It follows that the lower the centre of gravity is 

 ituated in bodies which are equal in other respects, the 



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