Question

Problem 8.17 A standard four-drawer filing cabinet is 52 inches high and 15 inches wide. If it is evenly loaded, the center of gravity is at the center of the cabinet. A worker is tilting a filing cabinet to the side to clean under it. Part A To what angle can he tilt the cabinet before it tips over? Express your answer using two significant figures. Thetac = __________________

Answer 1

tan theta = (7.5/26)

theta = 16 degrees

Answer 2

Here,

height of cabinet, h = 51 inch
width of cabinet, w = 15 inch

the cabinent can only be moved until point of Centre of gravity is past the vertical line of the rotation point.

After the CG crosses the line the weight of the cabinet will keep the rotation going in the direction.

Solving for angle between one corner and the CG.
TanA = Height/width
A = arcTan(h/w)
A = arcTan(52/15)
A = 73.909 deg.

So angle made to Vertical,

x + 73.909 = 90
x = 16.091 degrees

Beyond 16.091 deg the cabinet will tip over

Answer 3