1

FORCES
1). Which of the following physical quantities has the same base units as energy?
A moment of a force
B specific heat capacity
C impulse
D voltage
{A Both has unit: Nm}
2). Two forces P and Q act at a point X as shown in the vector diagram below.

In which of the following diagrams does the vector F represent the force which must be
applied at X to maintain equilibrium? {C: The 3 forces must form a closed polygon}.
3). A particle which moves from rest is acted upon by two forces: a constant forward force
and a retarding force which is directly proportional to its velocity. Which one of the
following statements about the subsequent motion of the particle is true?
A Its velocity increases from zero to a maximum.
B Its acceleration increases from zero to a maximum and then decreases.
C Its acceleration increases from zero to a maximum.
D Its velocity increases from zero to a maximum and then decreases.
{A: The net force (Weight-Viscous Force) results in an acceleration which causes the velocity
to increase. However Viscous Force increases with speed and hence the net force is zero after
some time. The velocity reaches a final constant value called terminal velocity}.
4). A uniform rod 5.0 m long, weighing 100
N is hinged at one end. A weight of 50 N is
hung at the other end. The system is
balanced by a tension T in the string
attached to the rod as shown.
What is the magnitude of tension T?
A 51.8 N
B 104 N
C 386 N
D 518 N
{B Take moments about hinge, T cos 15 x L = 50 x L + 100 x 1/2 L. Solve for T}.

5). The diagram shows four forces applied to a cylinder.

Which of the following describes the resultant force and
resultant torque on the object?
A zero resultant force, zero resultant torque
B zero resultant force, non-zero resultant torque
C non-zero resultant force, zero resultant torque
D non-zero resultant force, non-zero resultant torque
{D: Resultant force = 40 N to the right. Resultant torque about its c.g. is non-zero}.
6). A uniform rod of weight 10 N is freely hinged to a wall at X
as shown in the diagram. The rod is supported at the other
end by a cable perpendicular to the rod. The rod makes an
angle of 60o to the wall.
If a load W of weight 18 N is suspended at the other end of
the rod, what is the tension in the cable?
A 12 N

B 16 N

C 20 N

D 32 N

{C:Take moments about the hinge, T x L = 10 x L/2 sin60 + 18

x Lsin60}
7). A load W is supported as shown.
Arrange T, F and W in ascending order of magnitude.
A W,T,F

B F,W,T

C T,W,F

D T,F,W

{A: W, T and F form a right angle triangle with F as the

hypothenus. T = F cos 32 = 0.84 F W= F sin 32 = 0.53 F}
8). A uniform ladder of mass 7.00 kg is resting
on a smooth wall and rough floor, as shown in
the figure below. The total reaction force of
the ground on the ladder is R.
What is the force acting on the wall by the
ladder?
A 39.6 N
B 68.7 N
C 70.0 N
D 79.3 N
{A: There are 3 forces acting on the ladder. Besides R, there is a normal contact force N
exerted by smooth wall on ladder. The third force is the weight W= 7.00 x 9.81 = 68.7 N. tan
60 = W/N. Find N}.

9). Figure shows a uniform cylindrical block of height h

and cross-sectional area A floating with its axis vertical in
water of density in a measuring cylinder. The free water
is h/4 above the bottom of the block.
What is the mass of the block?
A 4 Ah

B 4Ahg

C A(h/4)

D A(h/4)g

{C: Weight = Upthrust mg = Vg where V is the volume

submerged. m = (h/4)A }
10). The diagram shows a long narrow tube filled to a depth of
40.0 cm with mercury of density 1.36 x 104 kg m-3. A 50.0-cmthick layer of water of density 1.00 x 103 kg m-3 floats on top of
the mercury. The tube is then inclined at 50o to the horizontal.
If the atmospheric pressure is 1.01 x 105 Pa, the pressure at
point X inside the tube is
A 4.46 x 104 Pa
B 1.46 x 105 Pa
5
C 1.59 x 10 Pa
D 4.56 x 106 Pa
{B: Pressure at X = Atmospheric pressure + pressure due to
water depth + pressure due to mercury depth Pressure at X =
1.01 x 105 Pa + 0.50 sin 50 x 1.00 x 103 x 9.81 + 0.40 sin 50 x 1.36 x 104 x 9.81}
MEASUREMENTS
1). The relationship between four physical quantities X, p, q and t is given by
X = p + qt, where t is the time is seconds. If the unit of p is m s1, then the unit of q must be
A m s1 B m s2 C m s
Dm
{B: qt must have the same base unit as p}.
2). At temperatures close to 0 K, the specific heat capacity of a particular solid is given by c =
b T3, where T is the thermodynamic temperature and b is a constant characteristic of the solid.
What are the SI base units of b?
A kg m2 s-2 K-4 B m2 s-2 K-3
C m2s-2 K-4
D kg m2 s-2 K-3
{C: The SI unit of c is J kg-1K-1. So its base unit is m2s-2K-1. Divide this unit by K3 gives base
unit of b}.
3). Four physical quantities P, Q, R and S are related by the equation PQ2= 8Q + RS. Which
statement must be correct for the equation to be homogeneous?
A
B
C
D

P, Q, R and S all have the same units.

P, Q, R and S are all scalar quantities.
The product PQ2 is numerically equal to (8Q+RS).
The product PQ2 has the same units as Q, and the product RS.

{D: C is not correct as any of the vectors can be negative and so vector addition of 8Q and
RS may not be numurically equal to PQ. D is obviously the choice as any physically correct
equation must have consistency in units}.
4). Which of the following experimental techniques reduces the systematic error of the
quantity being investigated?
A Timing a large number of oscillations to find a period.
B Measuring the diameter of a wire repeatedly and calculating the average.
C Adjusting an ammeter to remove its zero error before measuring a current.
D Plotting a series of voltages and current readings for an ohmic device on a graph and
using its gradient to find resistance.
{C: A, B and D are treatment for random errors. Zero error is definitely a systematic error,
which can be corrected for}.
5). A student measures the time t for a ball to fall from rest through a vertical distance h.
Knowing that the equation h = 1/2 gt2 applies, the student plots the graph shown.

Which of the following is an explanation for the intercept on the t axis?

A Air resistance has not been taken into account for larger values of h.
B There is a constant delay between starting the timer and releasing the ball.
C There is an error in the timer that consistently makes it run fast.
D The student should have plotted h against t 2.
{B: There is a constant time delay as indicated by the x-intercept on the graph}.
6). What is the reading shown on this milliammeter?

A
2.35 mA
B
{C: The reading is 3.4 0.2 mA}

2.7 mA

3.4 mA

3.7 mA

7). A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure the diameter of a copper wire. The reading
with the wire in position is shown in diagram 1. The wire is removed and the jaws of the
micrometer are closed. The new reading is shown in diagram 2.

What is the diameter of the wire?

A 1.90 mm

B 2.45 mm

C 2.59 mm

D 2.73 mm

{B: Each scale reading is read to half a smallest division. On subtraction, the actual diameter
is accurate to one smallest division ( 0.01 mm). The actual diameter is 2.59-(0.14) = 2.45
0.01 mm oC}.
8). The velocity of a liquid in a pipe can be calculated by measuring the force on a small disc
placed in the centre of the pipe with its plane perpendicular to the flow. The equation relating
the force to the velocity is
force = constant x (velocity)2
If the velocity is to be found with a maximum uncertainty of 1%, what is the maximum
permissible uncertainty in measuring the force?
A

0.5%

1%

C 2%

D 4%

{C: F/F = 2 v/v = 2x1 = 2%}

9). A cylindrical container has a diameter of 2.45 0.05 m and a depth of 1.25 0.05 m. The
maximum percentage uncertainty in the volume of the container is
A 4%

B 5%

C 6%

D 8%

{D: d/d = 0.05/2.45 = 2% h/h = 0.05/1.25 = 4% Volume V = d2h/4 V/V = 2d/d + h/h
= 2x2 + 4 = 8}
10. Vernier callipers, reading to 0.1 mm, are used to find the internal diameter (10.0 0.1
mm) and the external diameter (12.0 0.1 mm) of a length of glass tubing. The mean wall
thickness would be quoted, therefore, as
A 1.0 0.1 mm

B 1.0 0.2 mm

C 2.0 0.1 mm

D 2.0 0.2 mm

{A: 2 x thickness = (12.0 - 10.0) (0.1+0.1) = 2.0 0.2 mm thickness = 1.0 0.1 mm}

11) The period of oscillation of a pendulum is given by the equation

T = 2(L/g)
where L is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to free fall. To measure g,
a boy takes the following measurements:
Time for 20 oscillations = (18.2 0.1) s
Length of the pendulum = (20.6 0.1) cm
What is the percentage uncertainty for g?
A

1.6%

3.2%

9.6%

23%

{A: T/T = 0.1/18.2 = 0.55% L/L = 0.1/20.6 = 0.49% Since g = 42L/T g/g = L/L +
2T/T = 0.49 + 2 x 0.55 = 1.6%}
12) What is the ratio 1 m/1 Gm?
A 10-3

B 10-9

C 10-12

D 10-15

{D: 1 m = 10-6m and 1 Gm = 109}

13). Four students each made a series of measurements of the acceleration of free fall g (in
ms-2). The table shows the results obtained.
A
B
C
D

9.81
9.21
9.45
8.45

9.79
10.32
9.21
8.46

9.82
10.13
8.99
8.50

9.83
9.58
8.76
8.41

Which student obtained a set of results that could be described as accurate but not precise?
{B: Student B's result is close to 9.81 (accurate) but the readings spread over a wider range}.
14. A quantity x is measured many times and the number N of measurements giving a value
of x is plotted against x. The true value of x is xo.

Which graph best represents inaccurate measurements with poor precision?

{D: Choose the graph with average reading far from the true value and readings spread over a
wide range}.

15. A vector quantity V is resolved into two

perpendicular components X and Y. The angle between
V and component X is .
The angle between component X and the vector V is
increased from 0o to 90o.
How do the magnitudes of X and Y change as the angle
is increased in this way?
A
B
C
D

X
increase
increase
decrease
decrease

Y
increase
decrease
increase
decrease

{C: X is the horizontal component of vector V. X = V cos . So as increases, X decreases

but Y increases}.
Work
1) A ball is thrown vertically upwards. Neglecting air resistance, which statement is correct?
A The kinetic energy of the ball is greatest at the greatest height attained.
B By the principle of conservation of energy, the total energy of the ball is constant
throughout its motion.
C By the principle of conservation of momentum, the momentum of the ball is constant
throughout its motion.
D The potential energy of the ball increases uniformly with time during the ascent.
{B, Conservation of energy indicates total (KE + PE) at any instant remains constant. For D,
PE increases with (time)2}
2) A motorist travelling at 10 ms1 can bring his car to rest in a distance of 10 m. If he had
been travelling at 30 ms1, in what distance could he bring the car to rest using the same
braking force?
{Use F x d = Lost in KE, 90m}
3) A boat moving at constant speed v through still water experiences a total frictional drag F.
What is the power developed by the boat?
{Power = Driving Force x speed. At constant speed, Drivng Force = Drag Force. Hence P =
Fv}
4) A small electric motor is used to raise a weight of 2.0 N through a vertical height of 80 cm
in 4.0 s. The efficiency of the motor is 20 %. What is the electrical power supplied to the
motor?
{Useful Output Power = 2.0 x 0.80/4.0 = 0.40 W Input Power = 100/20 x 0.40 = 2.0 W}

5) Two masses are suspended from a pulley as

shown below.
They are released and made to move vertically.
Because of friction at the pulley, the speeds of the
two masses are constant throughout their motion.
The 4.0 kg mass moves 0.60 m before hitting the
ground. What is the amount of heat generated at
the pulley?
{Heat generated = Loss in PE by 4 kg mass - Gain in PE by 3 kg mass, 5.9J}
6) A car of mass 1200 kg travels along a horizontal road at a speed of 10 m s-1. At the time it
begins to accelerate at 0.2 m s-2, the total resistive force acting on the car is 160 N. What is
the total output power developed by the car as it begins the acceleration?
{Driving force = ma + resistive force = 1200 x 0.20 + 160 = 400 N Power = Fv = 400 x 10 =
4.0 kW}
7) The diagram shows two blocks A and B
of 4.0 kg each, initially stationary and
connected to each other by a light cord
passing over a light, free-running pulley.
Block A is in contact with the smooth
surface of an inclined plane at 30o to the
horizontal.
The system is released from rest and block
B moves vertically downwards from position X to Y. What will be the total kinetic energy of
the system when block B has travelled from X to Y?
{By Conservation of Energy, Gain in KE of system = Loss in PE by 4.0 kg mass - Gain in PE
of 4.0 kg mass up the slope, 39.2J}.

Circular Motion
1) A 1.00 103 kg car is driven clockwise around a flat
circular track of radius 25.0 m. The speed of the car is a
constant 5.00 m s-1.
What minimum friction force must exist between the tires and
the road to prevent the car from skidding as it rounds the
curve?
{1.00 103 N The friction must at least be enough to provide
for the centripetal force mv2/r}.

2) A point mass moves through a circular arc of length L and radius r in time t. What is the
angular velocity about the centre of the circle?
{Angle =arc/radius=L/r. Angular velocity =/t = L/rt.}
3) A bucket of water is swung in a vertical circle at arms length of 0.70 m. The minimum
number of revolutions per second it must be swung to keep the water from spilling out of the
bucket is
{at the highest point of the circle, weight=centripetal force, i.e. mg=mr 2. Calculate
frequency f=/2. 0.60N}
4) A particle travels in uniform circular motion.
Which of the following correctly describes the linear velocity, angular velocity and linear
acceleration of the particle?
A
B
C
D

Linear velocity
varying
varying
constant
constant

Angular velocity
constant
constant
varying
constant

Linear acceleration
varying
constant
zero
zero

{A, Linear velocity is changing as the direction of motion is changing. Angular velocity is
constant (based on right hand screw rule). The centripetal acceleration is changing as it points
towards the centre of circle}.
5). Two objects A and B of the same mass are fixed on a horizontal
circular rotating platform. Object A is at a distance (1/2)r from the
centre of the platform while object B is at the rim of the platform,
where r is the radius of the platform.
What is the ratio net force on A: net force on B?
{FA:FB = mrA2:mrB2= A:rB = 1:2}
6). A small object of mass m is released at the rim of a smooth
semi-spherical bowl of radius r , as shown in the diagram.
What is the magnitude of the contact force acting on the object
when it passes the bottom of the bowl?
{From conservation of energy, Loss in GPE=Gain in KE, so
mgr=1/2 mv2 => v2=2gr. At the bottom of the circle, Normal Contact Force(N) - weight(mg)=
Centripetal Force (mv2/r). So N = mg + mv2/r = mg + 2mg = 3mg}

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7). A ball of mass 0.10 kg is attached to a string and swung in a vertical

circle of radius 0.50 m as shown below. At the top of the circle, the
tension in the string is 6.2 N.
What is the speed v of the ball at this instant?
{At the top of the circle, Tension(T)+mg=mv2/r. Substitution gives
v=6.0 m s-1.}
8). A child on a roundabout is traveling in a horizontal circle with a
constant speed. The velocity, acceleration and the resultant horizontal force on the child are
all vectors.
Which diagram shows the
correct directions for
these vectors?
{B The centripetal force
and acceleration, by
Newton's second law, is
pointing toward the centre
of circle}.

9). An aircraft is moving in a horizontal plane at a constant

speed. It banks at an angle of 50o to the vertical in order to
make a turn as shown in the diagram below. The only forces
acting on the aircraft are lift, L and weight, W.
What is the ratio of the centripetal force to the weight of the
aircraft?
{tan 50o= F/mg = 1.19}

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10. A toy car, of mass 0.10 kg, is travelling along

a track which contains a vertical circular loop of
radius 0.10 m as shown in the diagram.
What is the minimum entry speed v of the car
required to prevent it from falling off the track at
the top of the loop?
{At the top, the condition for staying on the track
is mg = mv'2/r =>v'2 = gr. Since energy is conserved, 1/2 mv2 = 1/2 mv'2+mg(2r). Solving
gives v=(5gr)mv1/2 = 2.2 m s-1}

A spring A of force constant 6.0 Nm-1 is connected in series with a spring B of force constant
3.0 Nm-1. One end of the combination is securely anchored and a force of 0.60N is applied to
the other end.
(a) By how much does each spring extend? (0.200m)
(b) What is the force constant of the combination? (
(c) What is the total elastic potential energy stored in the system?
(a)
F = Kaxa, 0.6= 6(xa)
Extension for spring a, xa=0.100m
F= kbxb, 0.6=3(xb)
Extension for spring b, xb=0.200m
(b) Total Extension = 0.10 +0.20 = 0.300m
F = kx
0.6 = k(0.3)
k = 2 Nm-1
(c) Total elastic P.E. stored = (1/2)keffx2 = (1/2)(2)(0.3)2 = 0.090 J
A string supports a solid iron object of mass 0.180 kg totally immersed in a liquid of density
800 kg m-3. If the density of iron is 8000 kg m-3, calculate (a) the upthrust acting on the
object; (b) the tension in the string
(a) Upthrust = Vg = (0.180/8000)(800)(9.81)= 0.177N
(b) Tension = (0.180)(9.81) 0.177 = 1.59N
An ice cube of sides 2.0cm floats in a cup of tea. One of its faces is 0.20cm above the surface
of the tea in the cup. Calculate the density of the tea if the density of ice is 920 kg m-3.
Weight of ice = Weight of liquid displaced
Viceiceg = Vteateag
(0.020)3(920) = (0.020)2(0.018)tea
tea=1.02 X 103 kg m-3
(a) A man throws a ball of mass 3.0kg with a speed of 5.0 ms-1. If his hand is in contact with
the ball for a time interval of 0.20 s while throwing the ball, find the average force he exerts
on the ball.

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(b) If the man throws 4 balls in 2 seconds, find the average force exerted by him in one
second.
(c) If the balls thrown by the man hit a wall and bounce back with speed 3.0 ms-1, find the
average force exerted by the wall on the balls.
(a) <F>= p/t = (3)(5)/(0.20) = 75N
(b) <F><t>= in momentum in one collision x collision frequency
<F>(1) = 3.0 (5.0 0) X (4/2)
<F> = 30N
(c) in momentum of ball per collision = 3.0 (-3.0 5.0) = -24 kg m s-1
<F> = -24 X (4/2) = -48 N