Question

You and your classmates wish to stack a number of physics books of width W so that they hang over the edge of the table as shown below. Determine the maximum overhang distance d₁, for one book, d₂, for two books, and d₃, for three books such that the books do not fall off the table. (Use the following as necessary: W.)

(a) for one book
d₁ =  

  
Establish a convenient coordinate system and represent the book by a mass point. Establish the greatest distance you can pull one book off the table before it falls. How should this distance compare to the location of the center of mass of the book?

(b) for two books
d₂ =  

  
Represent each book by a mass point. In part (a), we established how far we can pull the top book off the second book and it not fall. We now wish to determine how far we can pull the combination of two books off the table and not fall. How should this distance compare to the location of the center of mass of the two books?

(c) for three books
d₃ =  

Represent each book by a mass point. In part (a), we established how far we can pull the top book off the second book and it not fall. In part (b) we determine how far we can pull the combination of two books off the third book and not fall. We now wish to determine how far we can pull the combination of three books off the table and not fall. How should this distance compare to the location of the center of mass of the three books?

Answer 1