Force Theory Igcse
Force Theory Igcse
Theory Questions
Effects of Forces
Resultant Forces / Newton's First Law / Newton's Second Law / Investigating Force
& Extension / Hooke's Law / Circular Motion / Friction
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Easy Questions
1 (a) Fig.3.1 shows the load-extension graphs for two springs, A and B.
extension = .................................................. mm
(1 mark)
State which spring is easier to stretch and give a reason for your answer.
(2 marks)
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(c) A different spring is suspended from the edge of a bench, as shown in Fig.3.2.
With no load on the spring, the pin points to 19.7 cm on the metre rule, as shown in Fig.
3.2.
When a load of 6.0N is attached to the spring, the pin points to 43.9 cm, as shown in Fig.
3.3.
(ii) Describe how a student could use the equipment in Fig. 3.2 to obtain accurate
readings for a load-extension graph for this spring.
[2]
(3 marks)
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2 (a) A model aircraft is flying through air. Fig. 3.1 shows the forces acting on the model
aircraft. The weight of the model aircraft is 15.0 N.
(i) Determine the size and direction of the resultant horizontal force acting on the model
aircraft.
[1]
[2]
(3 marks)
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(b) The horizontal forces acting on the model aircraft become balanced.
Suggest how the horizontal forces acting on the model aircraft have changed.
(1 mark)
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3 (a) State Newton's first law of motion.
(1 mark)
Newton's second law describes the change in motion caused by a resultant force.
State the equation which links acceleration, resultant force and mass.
(1 mark)
(c) State what happens to the motion of a moving object when a resultant force is applied to
it in the opposite direction to the motion.
(1 mark)
State what happens to the motion of a moving object when a resultant force is applied to
it in a perpendicular direction to the motion.
(1 mark)
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4 (a) A truck of mass 8.0 kg is rolling down a slight incline as shown in Fig. 1.1.
Fig. 1.1
Explain why the truck does not accelerate, even though it is on an incline.
(2 marks)
(b) The slope of the incline is increased. As a result of this, the truck now accelerates.
(2 marks)
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(2 marks)
(d) The acceleration of the truck can be increased by reducing the force of friction.
(1 mark)
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5 (a) Fig. 1.1 shows a man pulling a child on a sledge.
State the magnitude of the force that needs to be exerted by the man to make the sledge
move.
(1 mark)
(b) Name the force that is opposing the motion of the sledge.
(1 mark)
The sledge is then placed at the top of a hill and accelerates down the hill at 0.75 m/s2 .
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(3 marks)
(d) Assuming that the force opposing the motion of the sledge is the same, calculate the
total force acting down the hill.
(2 marks)
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Medium Questions
1 (a) A student stretches a spring by adding different loads to it. She measures the length of
the spring for each load. She plots a graph of the results.
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(ii) the length of the spring with a load of 4.0 N
(3 marks)
(b) Complete the sentence about effects of forces. Choose words from the box.
Stretching a spring with a load is an example of how a force can change the
.................................... and the .................................... of an object.
(2 marks)
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2 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the vertical forces on a rocket.
direction = ...........................................................
(3 marks)
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(b) Fig. 3.2 shows the speed and direction of motion of an object at a point in time.
Deduce the speed and direction of motion after 5 seconds. Indicate the speed and
direction of the object by drawing a labelled arrow next to the object in Fig. 3.3.
(1 mark)
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3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows a spring with no load attached. Fig. 3.2 shows the same spring with a load
attached.
Describe how a student can determine the extension of the spring. You may draw on Fig.
3.1 and Fig. 3.2 as part of your answer.
(3 marks)
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(b) The student plots a graph of load against extension, as shown in Fig. 3.3.
(ii) Determine the load that would produce an extension of 10.0 cm.
(2 marks)
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(c) Calculate the mass that has a weight of 6.0 N.
mass = ...................................................... kg
(3 marks)
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4 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the horizontal forces acting on a swimmer.
(i) Calculate the size and direction of the resultant horizontal force on the swimmer.
[1]
[1]
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(iii) Fig. 3.2 shows the horizontal forces acting on the swimmer as he moves forwards a
short time later.
[2]
(4 marks)
(b) Another swimmer weighs 700N. He stands on a diving board, as shown in Fig. 3.3.
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moment = ...................................................... N m
(3 marks)
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5 (a) Extended tier only
Explain why it is incorrect to describe the circular motion as having constant velocity.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
State the direction in which the force acts for objects in circular motion.
(1 mark)
State the name of this force for the car on the track.
(1 mark)
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Hard Questions
1 (a) A student is using some 50 g masses.
(3 marks)
(b) The student uses the 50g masses as loads to stretch a spring.
Fig. 2.1 shows the apparatus the student uses to obtain readings for a load-extension
graph.
Describe how the student could use the apparatus and ensure that the readings are
accurate.
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(4 marks)
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2 (a) The mass of a small steel ball is 120 g. The volume of the ball is 16.0 cm3.
(ii) The ball falls to the ground from rest. At a time of 0.2 s after it started to fall, its
acceleration is 10 m / s2.
State the acceleration of the ball at a time of 0.1 s after it started to fall.
[1]
(4 marks)
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(b) Fig. 3.1 shows the vertical forces that act on a large plastic ball as it is falling.
(i) State the name given to each of the forces shown in Fig. 3.1.
[1]
(2 marks)
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3 (a) A load is attached to a spring, as shown in Fig. 3.1. Two arrows indicate the vertical forces
acting on the load. The spring and the load are stationary.
[1]
(2 marks)
(b) The load is pulled downwards and then released. The load moves up and down.
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Fig. 3.2 represents the vertical forces acting on the load at some time after it is released.
Calculate the resultant force on the load and state its direction.
(2 marks)
[1]
Describe and explain why the load stops moving. Use your ideas about conservation of
energy.
[2]
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(3 marks)
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4 (a) Extended tier only
Fig. 1.1
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(4 marks)
When the aeroplane reaches its destination, air traffic control directs it to circle the
airfield until there is a safe time to land.
Fig. 1.2 shows a head on view of the aeroplane flying at a constant speed in a circular
horizontal path.
Fig 1.2
(3 marks)
The pilot wants to decrease the radius of the circular flight path whilst maintaining a
constant speed.
(1 mark)
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(d) Extended tier only
As the aeroplane lands on the runway, it decelerates from its top speed. The resultant
force on the aeroplane is less than it was at take off.
(4 marks)
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5 (a) A resultant force acts on an object at rest.
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(i) State the value of the force exerted on the man by the elevator.
(ii) Calculate the force required to accelerate the man at 1.6 m/s2.
[2]
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(4 marks)
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