Question

The advantages of being short and stocky is that you’re less likely to get knocked over. This is so because
(A) The short and stocky person has a lower center of gravity
(B) The short and stocky person has a larger center of gravity
(C) They have less height and less weight
(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint Several point masses make up a rigid body. A rigid body is collectively made up of many point masses. Each point in a rigid body experiences some gravitational force towards the center of Earth. On comparing the huge earth and the practical rigid objects we come across in daily life, we see that the size of Earth is very large, so these gravitational forces appear to be acting parallelly downwards. The resultant of all these parallel forces obtained always acts through a point which is known as the center of gravity of the body with respect to the earth.

Complete step by step answer:
 We can describe the center of gravity of a body as the point at which the entire weight of the body acts irrespective of various factors like the position and orientation of the body. We have already read the center of mass of the body as the point where the entire mass of the body appears to be densely concentrated. So, we used to consider that point as the representation of the entire body.
In case when the gravitational field is uniform across the body, the center of gravity and center of mass of the rigid body coincide.
There are many advantages of being short and stocky because a short and stocky person who is broad and sturdily built is less likely to get knocked over means it is difficult to strike to the ground or fall down. This is so because since a person is short and broad, his/her center of gravity will be lower. So, it is advantageous for a short and stocky person because of a lower center of gravity that he/she is less likely to get knocked over.

So, the correct answer is option (a).

Note A taller person has a higher center of gravity whereas a shorter person has a lower center of gravity.