SS Connection

My project on Physics is Center of Mass Demonstrations. Both scientists influenced development of the scientific method on this page, I will post my SS connection showing how Center of Mass influenced architecture in history.

Effect of Change on Society: Architecture

The Physics’ concept of Center of Gravity is applied to Social Studies in a unique way. It has had a profound effect on the architecture of many structures that are famous today, such as the dome on the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. While sometimes physics’ influence on history is brief or quickly replaced by another more advanced concept, the influence of Center of Gravity has been shown for hundreds of years in various forms.

The Leaning tower of Pisa titled that way because the soil on that side was too soft and the building’s Center of Gravity shifted. Although, it leans like that, it balances, why? Because if you draw a perpendicular line from the ground through the center of the tower the intersection point is still within the tower. This shows the Center of Gravity is still balanced allowing it to stand. Had the tower tilted more it would not be there today.

Archways have been in architecture since the renaissance. Here we have Gothic style archways that are often seen in Gothic style churches and buildings. The curved arch rooftops as well are a style adapted for the building roofs. Archways were big style of architecture because it added a bit of flair but kept the building from falling apart easier. Even though the Center of Gravity is suspended there are “legs” to carry it and the weight that comes with it. The same way the legs balance the weight on a human is the way that the imposts balance the weight on the archways. These arch ways can be found in many places that carry a lot of weight regular columns would not be able to.

The dome is similar to the archway. Instead of imposts and legs though, the weight is balanced throughout the entire perimeter of the dome. There is virtually no weight at the top of the dome, but this design keeps the center from falling inwards. This great innovation helped Arnolfo di Cambio win the architecture challenge that chose the design to put on top of the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence. Now, many different buildings and structures hold designs that are unique because the engineers were able to master the Center of Gravity and put their plans into action.