1 The diagram shows an object of weight W and an object of weight Z balanced on a uniform metre

rule.

a b
object of object of
weight W 50 cm mark weight Z

pivot
metre rule

Which equation relating to W, Z, a and b is correct?

W Z
A
a b

B W×Z=a×b

C W×a=Z×b

D W × (a + b) = Z

2 The diagrams show four objects A, B, C and D. The centre of mass M of each object is marked
on the diagrams.

Which object is not in equilibrium?

A B C D

M
M
M M

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 3 The diagram shows an L-shaped piece of card suspended freely from a pin at B.

When the card is pushed, it swings and then comes to a stop in the position shown.

At which labelled point is the centre of mass of the card?

card suspended
from here
A
B

D
C

4 Five identical bags of rice are balanced on a uniform beam by an object of mass 10 kg.

five bags
of rice 10 kg

pivot

Two more identical bags of rice are added to the other five. The average position of the bags on
the beam does not change.

What mass now balances the bags?

A 3.5 kg B 7.0 kg C 12 kg D 14 kg

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5 The diagram shows an unbalanced rod. Two loads X and Y can be moved along the rod.

X Y
rod
movement movement
of rod of rod
pivot

The rod turns in a clockwise direction as shown.

Which action could make the rod balance?

A moving X to the left

B moving X to the right
C moving Y to the right
D moving the pivot to the left

6 The diagram shows a balance being used to find the weight of a baby. The weight of the basket
can be ignored.

At equilibrium, the pivot is nearer to the 40 N balancing weight than to the baby.

centre of mass
of beam

pivot
40 N

baby

basket

What is the weight of the baby?

A less than 40 N
B 40 N
C more than 40 N
D impossible to tell without a scale on the beam

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 7 The diagram shows four objects on a flat surface.

The centre of mass of each object is marked M.

Which object is about to fall over?

A B C D

M M M M

8 The diagram shows a uniform beam being used as a balance. The beam is pivoted at its centre.

A 1.0 N weight is attached to one end of the beam. An empty pan weighing 0.2 N is attached to
the other end of the beam.

beam

1.0 N pivot
pan (0.2 N)

How many 0.1 N weights must be placed on the pan in order to balance the beam?

A 5 B 8 C 10 D 12

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9 A heavy beam rests on two supports. The diagram shows the only three forces F1, F2 and F3
acting on the beam.

F1 F2

beam

support support
F3

The beam is in equilibrium.

Which statement is correct?

A All the forces are equal in size.

B The resultant force on the beam is in the opposite direction to the resultant turning effect.
C The resultant force on the beam is zero and the resultant turning effect on the beam is zero.
D The total upward force is twice the total downward force.

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10 The diagrams show four solid cones. The centre of mass of each cone is marked by a point
labelled M.

Which cone is the most stable?

A B C D

M M M M

11 A heavy beam rests on two supports. The diagram shows the only three forces F1, F2 and F3
acting on the beam.

F1 F2

beam

support support
F3

The beam is in equilibrium.

Which statement is correct?

A All the forces are equal in size.

B The resultant force on the beam is in the opposite direction to the resultant turning effect.
C The resultant force on the beam is zero and the resultant turning effect on the beam is zero.
D The total upward force is twice the total downward force.

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12 A heavy truck on wheels has a platform attached to it.

A man stands on the platform.

The truck does not fall over.

Which position A, B, C or D could be the centre of mass of the whole system (truck, platform and
man)?

man

truck D
platform

C
B
A

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13 A uniform rod rests on a pivot at its centre. The rod is not attached to the pivot. Forces are then
applied to the rod in four different ways, as shown. The weight of the rod can be ignored.

Which diagram shows the rod in equilibrium?

A B
100 N 100 N

100 N 100 N

C D
100 N 100 N

100 N 100 N 100 N

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14 A plane lamina with centre of mass X touches the ground at point P.

Which diagram shows the lamina in equilibrium?

A B

X
X

70°
20°
P P

C D

X X

45° 45°
P P

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15 A wooden bar is pivoted at its centre so that it can rotate freely. Two equal forces F are applied to
the bar.

In which diagram is the turning effect greatest?

A B
pivot

F F F
F

C D
pivot F

F
F
F

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16 The weight of an object is found using the balance shown in the diagram. The object is put in the
left-hand pan and various weights are put in the right-hand pan.

object weights

These are the results.

weights in the right-hand pan effect

0.1 N, 0.1 N, 0.05 N, 0.02 N balance tips down slightly on the left-hand side
0.2 N, 0.1 N, 0.01 N balance tips down slightly on the right-hand side

What is the best estimate of the weight of the object?

A 0.27 N B 0.29 N C 0.31 N D 0.58 N

17 The diagram shows a uniform, flat metal sheet hanging freely from a nail at point A. A weight also
hangs freely on a string tied to A.

One of the labelled points is at the centre of mass of the metal sheet.

Which point is at the centre of mass?

nail
A

metal sheet

weight

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18 The diagram shows a force being applied to a lever to lift a heavy weight.

force
pivot lever

heavy weight

Which change would enable the heavy weight to be lifted with a smaller force?

A Move the force to the right.

B Move the heavy weight to the right.
C Move the force to the left.
D Move the pivot to the left.

19 Passengers are not allowed to stand on the upper deck of double-decker buses.

upper deck

lower deck

Why is this?

A They would cause the bus to become less stable.

B They would cause the bus to slow down.
C They would increase the kinetic energy of the bus.
D They would lower the centre of mass of the bus.

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 20 Two objects X and Y are placed on a balance.

The balance tilts as shown.

What does this show about the masses and weights of objects X and Y?

masses weights

A X has less mass than Y X has less weight than Y

B X has less mass than Y X has more weight than Y
C X has the same mass as Y X has less weight than Y
D X has the same mass as Y X has more weight than Y

21 The diagram shows a balance being used to find the weight of a baby. The weight of the basket
can be ignored.

At equilibrium, the pivot is nearer to the weight W than to the baby.

centre of mass
of beam

pivot
W

baby

basket

What is the weight of the baby?

A less than W
B more than W
C W
D impossible to tell

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
22 The weight of an object is to be found using the balance shown in the diagram.

object

The object is put in the left-hand pan and various standard weights are put in the right-hand pan.
These are the results.

weights in the right-hand pan effect

0.1 N, 0.1 N, 0.05 N, 0.02 N balance tips down slightly on the left-hand side

0.2 N, 0.1 N, 0.01 N balance tips down slightly on the right-hand side

What is the best estimate of the weight of the object?

A 0.27 N B 0.29 N C 0.31 N D 0.58 N

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23 A uniform rod rests on a pivot at its centre. The rod is not attached to the pivot. Forces are then
applied to the rod in four different ways, as shown. The weight of the rod can be ignored.

Which diagram shows the rod in equilibrium?

A B

100 N 100 N 100 N

100 N

C D

100 N

100 N 100 N 100 N 100 N

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24 The diagrams show three uniform beams P, Q and R, each pivoted at its centre.

The two forces acting on each beam are also shown.

2.0 m 1.0 m
P

4.0 N 4.0 N

4.0 m 2.0 m
Q

2.0 N 5.0 N

2.0 m 4.0 m
R

1.5 N 1.0 N

Which beams rotate clockwise?

A P and Q only
B P and R only
C Q and R only
D P, Q and R

25 The diagram shows a non-uniform beam of weight 120 N, pivoted at one end. The beam is kept in
equilibrium by force F.

20 cm 60 cm

pivot

centre of
mass of beam
weight F
120 N

What is the value of force F?

A 30 N B 40 N C 360 N D 480 N
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26 A long plank XY lies on the ground. A load of 120 N is placed on it, at a distance of 0.50 m from
end X, as shown.

End Y is lifted off the ground. The upward force needed to do this is 65 N.

load 65 N

X Y

0.50 m 1.5 m 2.0 m ground

120 N W

In the diagram, W is the weight of the plank, acting at its mid-point.

What is the value of W ?

A 35 N B 47 N C 100 N D 133 N

27 A beam pivoted at one end has a force of 5.0 N acting vertically upwards on it as shown. The
beam is in equilibrium.

5.0 N

2.0 cm 3.0 cm

pivot

weight
of beam

What is the weight of the beam?

A 2.0 N B 3.0 N C 3.3 N D 5.0 N

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1 (a) Fig. 4.1 shows a top view of a tourist vehicle in a game park and two elephants pushing
against the vehicle. The two forces indicated are at right angles to each other.

vehicle

4.0 kN

6.0 kN

elephant

elephant

Fig. 4.1

In the space below, draw a scale vector diagram to determine the magnitude of the resultant
force. Label the two forces applied and the resultant, and clearly state the scale you use.

magnitude of resultant force = ...........................................................[3]

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 (b) Fig. 4.2 shows another elephant pushing horizontally against a vehicle with a force of 11 kN at
a distance 1.8 m above the ground. Point M is the centre of mass of the vehicle.

elephant
vehicle

11 kN
M
1.8 m

A
1.25 m

Fig. 4.2

(i) Calculate the moment about point A of the force exerted by the elephant.

moment = ...........................................................[2]

(ii) The mass of the vehicle is 1900 kg, and it does not slide when pushed by the elephant.

Determine whether the elephant tips the vehicle over. Show your working.

calculation

conclusion .....................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 7]

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2 (a) Complete the following statement.

An object is in equilibrium when both the .................................................................. and the

.................................................................. on the object are zero. [2]

(b) Fig. 3.1 shows a ladder AB. End A of the ladder rests against a vertical wall. End B rests on
rough ground.

A F

ladder

wall
3.2 m

1.2 m
P
B ground

240 N

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.1 shows two of the forces acting on the ladder. The only force on the ladder at A is F,
which acts at right-angles to the wall. The weight of the ladder is 240 N acting at the centre of
mass of the ladder.

(i) 1. Calculate the moment of the weight of the ladder about point B.

moment = ........................................................ [1]

2. Write an expression, in terms of F, for the moment of F about point B.

moment = ........................................................ [1]

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 (ii) Use your answers from (i) to calculate F.

F = ........................................................ [2]

(iii) Explain why there must be an upwards force acting on the ladder at B.

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

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3 A metre rule balances when the 50 cm mark is directly above a pivot.

(a) State where in the rule its centre of mass is located.

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Fig. 3.1 shows an apple and a 0.40 N weight placed on the rule so that the rule remains
balanced at the 50 cm mark.

0.40 N
apple weight
50 cm
mark

25 cm
45 cm
pivot

Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)

The centre of mass of the apple is 25 cm from the pivot and the centre of mass of the weight
is 45 cm from the pivot.

Calculate

(i) the weight of the apple,

weight = ............................................... [2]

(ii) the mass of the apple.

mass = ............................................... [1]

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 (c) The apple is not moved. The weight is removed from the rule and the pivot is moved to the left
until the rule balances as shown in Fig. 3.2.

apple
50 cm
mark

pivot

Fig. 3.2 (not to scale)

(i) Explain why the arrangement in Fig. 3.2 balances.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) The pivot in Fig. 3.2 is closer to the 50 cm mark than to the centre of mass of the apple.

Compare the weight of the rule to the weight of the apple.

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4 (a) State the two conditions necessary for a system of forces acting on a body to be in equilibrium.

1. ..............................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2. ..............................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Fig. 1.1 shows a loaded wheelbarrow held in equilibrium by a gardener. The wheel of the
wheelbarrow is in contact with the ground at point C.

Fig. 1.1

In Fig. 1.1, there are three vertical forces acting on the wheelbarrow.

P is the upward force applied by the gardener.

Q is the upward force of the ground on the wheel at point C.
W is the weight of the wheelbarrow and its contents.

Explain why the force P is less than the force W

(i) by considering the forces P, Q and W,

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (ii) by considering the moments of the forces P and W about point C.

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) Fig. 1.2 shows a kitchen cupboard resting on a support and attached to a wall by a screw.

wall screw

cupboard
F

G
0.75 m

support 0.24 m
75 N

Fig. 1.2

The weight of the cupboard and its contents is 75 N. G is the position of the centre of mass of
the cupboard.

The clockwise and anticlockwise moments about point P are equal.

Calculate the force F exerted by the screw.

F = ............................................... [3]

[Total: 9]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
5 Fig. 2.1 shows a uniform, rectangular slab of concrete ABCD standing upright on the ground. The
slab has height 0.60 m, width 0.30 m and mass 18 kg. A force of 40 N acts horizontally to the left
at B.

A B
40 N

0.60 m

D C
0.30 m

Fig. 2.1

(a) (i) Calculate the weight W of the concrete slab.

W = ........................................................ [1]

(ii) The thickness of the slab is 0.040 m.

Calculate the pressure exerted by the slab on the ground.

pressure = ........................................................ [2]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (b) (i) On Fig. 2.1, draw and label an arrow to show the weight W of the slab acting at its centre
of mass. [1]
(ii) Calculate
1. the moment of the 40 N force about point D,

moment = ........................................................

2. the moment of W about point D.

moment = ........................................................
[3]

(iii) The ground is rough so that the slab does not slide.
State and explain what happens to the slab as the horizontal force at B is gradually
increased.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 9]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 6 A large crane has a mass of 8500 kg. Fig. 4.1 shows the crane on a muddy building-site.

lifting-arm

hook
axle
caterpillar tracks

Fig. 4.1

(a) Calculate the weight of the crane.

weight = .................................................. [1]

(b) The crane rests on two caterpillar tracks each of which has a contact area with the
ground of 3.4 m2.

(i) Calculate the pressure that the crane exerts on the ground.

pressure = .................................................. [2]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (ii) As the crane driver walks towards the crane, he starts to sink into the mud. He lays
a wide plank of wood on the mud and he walks along the plank.

Explain why he does not sink into the mud when he walks along the plank.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [2]

(c) When the crane lifts a heavy load with its hook, the load exerts a moment on the
lifting-arm about the axle.

(i) Explain what is meant by moment of a force.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) Despite the moment exerted on the lifting-arm, the crane remains in equilibrium.

State the two conditions required for any object to be in equilibrium.

1. ..............................................................................................................................

2. ..............................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 8]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
7 (a) (i) Write down the names of three man-made devices in everyday use that depend,
for their action, upon the moments of forces.

1. ...............................................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................

3. ...............................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Fig. 3.1 shows a uniform rod AB acted upon by three equal forces F.

F F

A B
F

Fig. 3.1

State two reasons why the rod is not in equilibrium.

1. ...............................................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................
[2]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (b) Fig. 3.2 shows a uniform rod PQ, supported at its centre and held in a horizontal position.
The length of PQ is 1.00 m.

1.00 m
0.30 m

P Q

12 N S

Fig. 3.2

A force of 12 N acts at a distance of 0.30 m from the support. A spring S, fixed at its
lower end, is attached to the rod at Q.

(i) Calculate the force exerted on PQ by the spring.

force = .................................................. [2]

(ii) Explain why it is not necessary to know the weight of PQ.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 7]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
1 An object of mass 50 kg accelerates from a velocity of 2.0 m / s to a velocity of 10 m / s in the same
direction.

What is the impulse provided to cause this acceleration?

A 250 N s B 400 N s C 850 N s D 2500 N s

2 A gas molecule strikes the wall of a container. The molecule rebounds with the same speed.

wall wall
gas molecule gas molecule

before hitting the wall after hitting the wall

What happens to the kinetic energy and what happens to the momentum of the molecule?

3 Which quantity is measured in newton seconds (N s)?

A impulse
B moment
C power
D work done

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
1 Fig. 2.1 shows a dummy of mass 70 kg used in a crash test to investigate the safety of a new car.

passenger dummy
barrier compartment
windscreen

Fig. 2.1

The car approaches a solid barrier at 20 m / s. It crashes into the barrier and stops suddenly.

(a) (i) Calculate the momentum of the dummy immediately before the crash.

momentum = ................................................................. [2]

(ii) Determine the impulse that must be applied to the dummy to bring it to rest.

impulse = ................................................................. [1]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
(b) In the crash test, the passenger compartment comes to rest in 0.20 s.

Calculate the deceleration of the passenger compartment.

deceleration = ................................................................. [2]

(c) The seat belt and air bag bring the dummy to rest so that it does not hit the windscreen.
2
The dummy has an average deceleration of 80 m / s .

Calculate the average resultant force applied to the dummy, of mass 70 kg.

force = ................................................................. [2]

(d) The deceleration of the dummy is less than the deceleration of the passenger compartment.

Explain why this is of benefit for the safety of a passenger.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 9]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
2 Fig. 2.1 shows a hammer being used to drive a nail into a piece of wood.

hammer head

nail

wood

Fig. 2.1

The mass of the hammer head is 0.15 kg.

The speed of the hammer head when it hits the nail is 8.0 m / s.
The time for which the hammer head is in contact with the nail is 0.0015 s.

The hammer head stops after hitting the nail.

(a) Calculate the change in momentum of the hammer head.

change in momentum = ...........................................................[2]

(b) State the impulse given to the nail.

impulse = ...........................................................[1]

(c) Calculate the average force between the hammer and the nail.

average force = ...........................................................[2]

[Total: 5]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
3 The engine of an unpowered toy train is rolling at a constant speed on a level track, as shown in
Fig. 3.1. The engine collides with a stationary toy truck, and joins with it.

moving
ving e
engine

statio
ationary
y tru
uck
k

track
tr k

Fig. 3.1

Before the collision, the toy engine is travelling at 0.32 m / s. The mass of the engine is 0.50 kg.

(a) Calculate the momentum of the toy engine before the collision.

momentum = [2]

(b) The mass of the truck is 0.30 kg.

Using the principle of conservation of momentum, calculate the speed of the joined engine
and truck immediately after the collision.

speed = [3]

[Total: 5]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4 Fig. 4.1 represents part of the hydraulic braking system of a car.

piston X piston Y

F1
F2

Fig. 4.1

The force F1 of the driver’s foot on the brake pedal moves piston X. The space between
pistons X and Y is filled with oil which cannot be compressed. The force F2 exerted by the oil
moves piston Y. This force is applied to the brake mechanism in the wheels of the car.

The area of cross-section of piston X is 4.8 cm2.

(a) The force F1 is 90 N. Calculate the pressure exerted on the oil by piston X.

pressure = ................................................. [2]

(b) The pressure on piston Y is the same as the pressure applied by piston X. Explain why
the force F2 is greater than the force F1.

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Piston Y moves a smaller distance than piston X. Explain why.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (d) Suggest why the braking system does not work properly if the oil contains bubbles of air.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 7]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com