Questions 6

1. The diagrams A, B and C show a cup that always returns to an upright position when tipped on its side. The
cup is intended for use by very young children.

(a) What is meant by the centre of gravity of the cup?

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(b) On diagram A, mark with a letter X the likely position of the centre of gravity of the cup.

(c) Explain how the manufacturer of the cup ensures that the centre of gravity of the cup is at X.
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(d) What is the disadvantage of this cup when used by very young children?
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2. (a) A uniform metre rule is placed on a pivot at its centre of gravity. Two 2.0 N weights are hung from the
metre rule as shown. The metre rule is balanced.

Calculate the clockwise moment acting about the pivot.

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(b) The pivot and both the weights are moved 0.10 m to the left to new positions as shown below.

The rule is no longer balanced. Explain why it tilts in a clockwise direction.

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 (c) The metre rule has a weight of 1.0 N. Where would a 0.5 N weight be placed to restore balance?
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3. (a) Diagram 1 shows a fisherman catching a fish. The fisherman exerts an upward force F on the fishing rod.
The fish has a weight of 6.0 N.

Diagram 2 is a simplified diagram of the forces and the distances involved.

(i) Calculate the anticlockwise moment

about the pivot.
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(ii) The fishing rod is balanced. State the value of the clockwise moment about the pivot.
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(iii) Calculate the upward force F exerted by the fisherman.

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(b) The fisherman lifts the fishing rod and balances it in the position shown.
State and explain how the new position of the fishing rod affects the size
of the new force F’ exerted by the fisherman.
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4. (a) A type of lever can be used to move a large load by exerting a smaller force, d called the effort. The
diagram shows such a lever being used to move a load of 500 N.

Calculate the size of the smallest value of F needed to move the load. (Ignore the weight of the lever.)
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(b) The human forearm is another type of lever with effort and load on the same side of the pivot as shown
below.

(i) Which is greater, the effort or the load?

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(ii) What is an advantage of this type of lever over

that shown in part (a)?
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5. (a)

The diagrams above show a picture of a tennis racket and a side view of the same racket. The racket has
been designed so that the centre of gravity is at the centre of the racket as shown in the side view.

Explain what is meant by the term centre of gravity.

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State clearly how you would check that the position of the centre of gravity of the racket was correct using
only the triangular block shown and a metre rule.
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The manufacturer strengthens the head of the racket by using a thicker rim of the same material.

What effect will this have on the centre of gravity of the racket? What can the manufacturer do to allow for
this effect?
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(b) A plank of weight 80 N rests centrally on a pair of trestles placed 2.0 m apart as shown in the diagram
below. A pile of bricks weighing 60 N is placed on the plank so that its weight acts at a point 0.5 m from trestle
B.

State the principle of moments.

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By taking moments about Point A, find the upward force FB exerted by trestle B on the plank. Hence find the
force FA exerted by trestle A on the plank.
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6. The diagram shows part of a tall tower crane used on building sites. The concrete block A of weight 150 000
N helps to stop the crane from toppling over when loads are lifted by the movable trolley B.

What is meant by the moment of a force?

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How is the moment of a force calculated?

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Assume the load at B exactly balances the concrete block at A. Use the values given to make an estimate of
the maximum load which can be lifted by the crane when the trolley is in the position shown.
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If the weight of the jib of the crane had been included in the above calculation, what effect, if any, would
this have had on the answer? Give a reason for your answer.
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7. The diagram shows a device which allows a typical red squirrel of mass 300 g to enter and eat the food but
stops a typical grey squirrel of mass 800 g from doing so. When the grey squirrel attempts to enter the device
and stands at A, the trap-door, together with mass B, rotates and tips the squirrel off.

What type of moment of a force does

the red squirrel produce when it stands
on the trap-door at A?
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If the trap-door is to remain balanced at the horizontal position when the red squirrel stands at A, what must
be the mass of B? (Ignore the mass of the trap-door.)
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Explain why with this mass B in place, the grey squirrel attempting to stand on the trap-door at A will cause the
trap-door to rotate.
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Why does this device not work with a young grey squirrel?
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8. The diagram below shows a uniform metre rule balanced on a fulcrum with a mass of 0.15 kg hanging from
one end.

What name is given to the point A?

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Add to the diagram an arrow to show the force of

attraction of the Earth on the rule. Label this arrow B.

By what name is this force more commonly known?

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Add to the diagram an arrow to show the only upward force acting on the rule. Label this arrow C.

By how much greater than the weight of the rule must this upward force be?
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By taking moments calculate the mass of the rule.
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9. A painter uses a uniform wooden plank, supported at two points by trestles, as an aid when decorating.
The plank, AB, is 3.0m long and weighs 200N . It is supported at points C and D both 0.5 m from ends A and B
respectively. The painter weighs 700N and stands on the middle of the plank.

(a) The diagram of the plank shows one of the forces acting on it. Add to the diagram the position and
direction of the other forces acting on it. Name these forces on the diagram.

(b) Calculate the sizes of the forces acting on the plank at C and at D.
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10. The diagram below shows a trap door which can be lifted by applying an upward force to the ring P. The
mass of the trap door is 5.0 kg and it is made from a uniform piece of wood 0.90 m square.

Keeping the trap door in the closed position, describe a

simple method to find the position of the centre of gravity of
the trap door.
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What is the weight of the trap door in newtons?

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Draw an arrow labelled W on the diagram to show where and in which direction the weight of the trap door
acts.

Calculate the anti-clockwise moment of the weight about the hinge.

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Calculate the upward force which, when applied to the ring P, is just sufficient to lift the trap door.
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13. (a) The triangular prism shown in Diagram 1 has its centre of gravity at the point labelled X.

(i) What is meant by the term centre of gravity?

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(ii) The triangular prism is tilted as shown in Diagram 2. Explain why it returns to its original position
when it is released.

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(b) Diagrams 3 and 4 show the positions of two other triangular prisms.

Explain why, compared to the prism in Diagram 1,

(i) the prism in Diagram 3 is less stable,

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(ii) the prism in Diagram 4 is more stable.

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(c) Write down the equation for the moment of a force and explain its effect.
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(d) Diagram 5 shows a person balanced on a tightrope.

Diagram 6 represents the person when she is not balanced. The weight of the person is 600 N and the
position X of her centre of gravity is shown.

(i) Calculate the anticlockwise moment about the tightrope in Diagram 6.

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(ii) State the value of the clockwise moment required to restore balance in Diagram 6.

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(iii) Suggest a way in which balance could be restored.

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