A ballast weight of 500 lb sits at 20 inches, and a 1,000 lb item sits at 14 inches. If total weight is 1,500 lb, what is the center of gravity from the datum?

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Multiple Choice

A ballast weight of 500 lb sits at 20 inches, and a 1,000 lb item sits at 14 inches. If total weight is 1,500 lb, what is the center of gravity from the datum?

Explanation:
Center of gravity location is found by taking the weighted average of the positions of all weights: CG = sum(weight × distance) / total weight. Calculate the moments: 500 lb at 20 inches gives 500 × 20 = 10,000; 1,000 lb at 14 inches gives 1,000 × 14 = 14,000. Sum of moments = 24,000. Total weight is 1,500 lb. CG = 24,000 / 1,500 = 16 inches from the datum. The center of gravity must lie between the two weight locations (14 and 20 inches) when both weights are present, and it will be closer to the heavier item. Here it lands at 16 inches, which makes sense given the 1,000 lb load is at 14 inches and the 500 lb ballast is at 20 inches.

Center of gravity location is found by taking the weighted average of the positions of all weights: CG = sum(weight × distance) / total weight.

Calculate the moments: 500 lb at 20 inches gives 500 × 20 = 10,000; 1,000 lb at 14 inches gives 1,000 × 14 = 14,000. Sum of moments = 24,000. Total weight is 1,500 lb.

CG = 24,000 / 1,500 = 16 inches from the datum.

The center of gravity must lie between the two weight locations (14 and 20 inches) when both weights are present, and it will be closer to the heavier item. Here it lands at 16 inches, which makes sense given the 1,000 lb load is at 14 inches and the 500 lb ballast is at 20 inches.

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