Tuition Worksheets

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES, UNITS AND HOMOGENEITY

1) (a) 3.8 pF =..................F, (ii) 3.2  10-7 C = ..................C, (iii) 60 GW =......................W

(b)What are the base units of (i) p.d, (ii) specific heat capacity? (ans: kgm2 s-3A-1, m2s-2K-4)
𝑙
(c) Show that the following equations are homogeneous: (i) 𝑚𝑔ℎ = ½ 𝑚𝑣 2 , (ii) 𝑇 = 2𝜋 𝑔
(d) The frequency of yellow light is 5.0  1014 Hz. Calculate the wavelength in (i) m (ii) nm

(e) Quantities A, B, C and D are related by the equation 𝐴 = 𝐵𝐶 − 𝐷.

Given that 𝐶 = 𝑠 and 𝐷 = 𝑘𝑔, find the base units of A and B. (ans: kg, kgs-1)

(f) The electrostatic force F between two point charges Q1 and Q2 at a distance r from each
𝑄 𝑄
other is given by 𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜀1 𝑟2 2 . Find the base units of 0. (ans: A2s4kg-1m-3)
0

(g) The displacement 𝒔 of a body moving from rest with a uniform acceleration 𝒂 at time t is
1
given by 𝒔 = 2 𝒂𝑝 𝑡 𝑞 . Find the values of p and q. (ans: 𝒑 = 𝟏, 𝒒 = 𝟐)

3𝐻
(h) The critical density of matter is 0 in the universe may be written as 𝜌0 = 8𝜋𝐺 , where H =
Hubble constant and G = gravitational constant (unit: Nm2kg-2). What are the base units of H?

(i) The energy 𝐸 of a damped oscillator of mass 𝑚 and amplitude 𝐴 at time 𝑡 is given by
−𝑏𝑡
𝐸 = 𝑘𝐴2 exp⁡ ( 2𝑚 ), where k and b are constants. Find the units of k and b.
Ans: (h) s-2 (i) kgs-2 kgs-1.

2) State the S.I. units of the following physical quantities and express these units in terms of
base units: (i) frequency, (ii) moment of a force, (ii) specific latent heat, (iii) resistance
1
3) Bernoulli’s equation, which applies to fluid flow, states that 𝑝 + ℎ𝜌𝑔 + 2 𝜌𝑣 2 = 𝑘, where
p is a pressure, h a height,  a density, g an acceleration, v a velocity and k a constant. Show
that the left-hand side of the equation is homogeneous and state the SI units of constant k.
(Ans: Pa)

4) Boyle’s Law governing the pressure P and volume V for a given mass of a gas may be
𝑎
modified into the Van der Waals’ form 𝑃 + 𝑉 2 𝑉 − 𝑏 = 𝑐. What are the base units of a, b
and c? Ans: kg m5 s-2, m3, kg m2 s-2
6N
SCALARS & VECTORS

1) Draw the bearing of the additional force

required to maintain the 4 forces in equilibrium.
(ans: 5N on a bearing 143.1)
7N 4N

2N

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 Tuition Worksheets

2) Find the resultant of the forces shown in the 500 N

545 N
diagram: (ans: 366 N on a bearing of 320.7)

3) Find the change in velocity of a boat if it changes

its velocity from 5 ms-1 due north to 3ms-1 due west. 24 40
(ans: 5.8 ms-1 at 59 south of west) 15 27

4) A stone is thrown at 12ms-1 at an angle of 30 to 425 N 330 N

the horizontal. Calculate the initial horizontal and
vertical components of the velocity of the stone.
(ans: 63 ms-1, 6 ms-1)

5) A body of mass 1.5 kg is placed on a plane surface inclined at 30 to the horizontal.
Calculate the friction and normal reaction forces which the plane must exert if the body is to
remain at rest. Take g=10ms-2. (ans: 7.5 N, 13.0 N)

6) A load of 20 N is suspended from the middle of a piece of 25 25

thread. Determine, by scale drawing or by calculation, the
tension in the thread. (ans: 23.7 N)
20N
7) A load of 50 N is hung from two strings as shown in the
diagram. Determine, by scale drawing or by calculation, the
P 60 40 R
tension in (i) OP, (ii) OR . (ans: 38.9 N, 25.4 N)

8) Find the acceleration of a ball down a frictionless plane that O

is inclined at 30 to the horizontal. 50N

9) A boat travels at a steady speed of 2.0 ms -1 through water in which there is no current. The
boat enters an area in which water flows at 1.0 ms -1 due East. Find the resultant velocity of
the boat through the water if it travels (i) due west, (ii) due north.

10) A ball hits a wall at 4ms-1 and bounces off the wall at 4 ms-1.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of change in velocity of the ball if it hits the wall
(i) normally, (ii) at 45  to its surface.

11) At two instants, t = 0 s and t =0.2 s, the velocity of an electron moving in a vacuum in
the (x, y) plane is as indicated by the vectors shown below:

t=0 60
v = 5106 ms-1 t = 0.2 s
v = 10106 ms-1

(a) Calculate the change in velocity which takes place over this time interval.
(b) Hence, find the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the electron over this
interval.

(Ans: 8.66  106 m s-1 downwards, 4.33  1013 m s-2 downwards)

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 Tuition Worksheets

MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES (PART I)

1) State whether the error in each of the following cases is a random or a systematic error.

(a) Estimating a length to one-tenth of a mm using a ruler graduated in mm.

(b) Human reaction time lag,
(c) Non-uniformity of diameter of a wire
(d) Using a slow-running stop watch.
(e) Uncertainty in deciding when the image on a screen is in sharpest focus.
(f) A background count in a radioactivity experiment
(g) Fluctuation of air movement
(h) Expansion or contraction of a meter rule
(i) Air resistance in the determination of g in free falling experiment

2) Two students A and B measure the length of a rod whose true value is 10.0 cm. Repeated
measurements give the following readings.

Student Length/cm
A 8.2 9.8 10.5 11.8
B 7.5 7.7 7.9 9.1

Which student obtained a set of results that could describe as

(a) precise but not accurate
(b) accurate but not precise?

A2 B 4
3) Given that P  k 1
, where k is a numerical constant and the measured quantities are
2
C
given by A =a  ∆a, B=b  ∆b and C=c  ∆c. Find i) the fractional uncertainty in P, ii) %
uncertainty in P.

4) The radius of a circle is r = (3.0 ± 0.1) cm. Find the circumference and its uncertainty.

5) Find the radius of the coin with its actual uncertainty.

3 4 5

cm

coin

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𝑝
6) Given that 𝑝 = 8.31 ± 0.03, 𝑞 = 4.75 ± 0.01, 𝑟 = 10.7 ± 0.2, 𝐴 = 𝑝 − 𝑞, 𝐵 = 5 ,
𝑞 5𝑝 3
𝐶 = 𝑞 2 , 𝐷 = 𝑝𝑞, 𝐸 = 𝑝 and 𝐹 = 𝑞 2 𝑟 . Find (a) (i) the fractional uncertainty in p, (ii) the
percentage uncertainty in p, (b) B with its uncertainty, (c) C with its uncertainty, (d) D with
its uncertainty, (e) E with its uncertainty, (f) F with its uncertainty

7) The diameter of a wire d = 0.56  0.01 mm. Calculate i) its actual uncertainty ii)
fractional uncertainty, iii) the value of its cross-sectional area together with its uncertainty.

8) A steel ball has diameter d of 3.40  0.01 cm and a mass m of 500  1 g. Calculate its
density with its actual uncertainty.

9) Current in a resistor is 1.20  0.05 mA. The marked value on the resistor is 4.8   2 %.
Calculate the % uncertainty in the value of the power dissipated in the resistor?

𝑙
10) The formula for the period of a simple pendulum is 𝑇 = 2𝜋 . The % uncertainties in
𝑔
the measurements of l and T are 2 % and 5 % respectively. Calculate the % uncertainty in the
calculated value of g?

11) In determining resistivity  of a metal wire, the following measurements are made,
Resistance R of wire = 6.7  0.1 
Diameter d of the wire = 0.51  0.01 mm
Length L of the wire = 2.56  0.01 m

Calculate the resistivity , with its actual uncertainty?

12) In determining resistivity  of a metal wire, the following measurements are made,
Resistance R of wire = 2.06.  0.01 
Diameter d of the wire = 0.057  0.001 m
Length L of the wire = 105.6  0.1 m

Calculate the resistivity, with its actual uncertainty?

ANSWERS:
𝟏
(4) 18.8 cm ± 0.6 cm (5) (0.6 ± 0.2) cm A, D, B, C, (6) 𝟐𝟕𝟕, 0.36%, 1.662  0.006, 22.6 
0.1, 39.5  0.2, 0.572  0.003, 11.9  0.4, (7) 0.246  0.009 mm2, (8) 24.3  0.3 gcm-3, (9)
10.3 %, (10) 12.0 %, (11) (5.4  0.3)  10-7 m, (12) (5.0  0.2)  10-5 m

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 Tuition Worksheets

MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES (PART II)

density of water/ kg m-3
1) Two students A and B carry out a series of experiments to determine Student A Student B
the density of water. The results are tabulated below. The true value for 1002 998
the density of water is 1000 kg m-3. Which student obtained a set of 998 998
results that could be described as (i) precise but not accurate, 997 998
(ii) accurate but not precise? 1001 997
999 997
2) In each of the following cases, identify any sources of systematic and random uncertainties
(errors) and suggest how they could be reduced:

(i) measuring the length of a sharp pencil with a 30 cm rule,

(ii) measuring the diameter of a wire with a micrometer screw gauge.
(iii) measuring the period of oscillation of a pendulum,
(iv) measuring the current in a resistor,
(v) measuring the focal length of a convex lens.

3) (a) The diameter of a wire is measured at 5 different places along the wire. Results, in mm,
are: 2.18, 2.16, 2.21, 2.19, 2.21. Write down the average diameter of the wire with its
associated uncertainty. (ans: 2.19 ± 0.03 mm)

(b) A force of (10.0 ± 0.2) N is applied to a mass of (2.0 ± 0.1) kg. Calculate the percentage
uncertainty of the calculated acceleration of the mass. (ans: 7%)

(c) Calculate the area with its associated uncertainty of a field if its length is 12 ± 1 m and
width is 7 ± 0.2 m. (ans: 84± 10 m2)

(d) A cylinder has a radius of 1.60 ± 0.01 cm and a height of 11.5 ± 0.1 cm. Find the volume
with its uncertainty. (ans: 92 ± 2 cm2)

4) In a simple electrical circuit, the current in a resistor is measured as (2.50 ± 0.05) mA. The
resistor is marked as having a value of 4.7 Ω ± 2%.
(i) Calculate the power dissipated in the resistor. (ans: 29.4 x 10-6 W)
(ii) Determine the percentage uncertainty in the power. (ans: 6%)
(iii) Express the power with its associated uncertainty. Ans: (29  2) x 10-6 W

5) The acceleration due to gravity, g, was calculated from one single timing of the period T of
a simple pendulum. The stopwatch, marked out in 0.01 s, reads 2.00 s exactly. The pendulum
was 99.0 cm long, measured with a metre rule graduated in mm. Express the value of g with
𝐿
its error limits, given 𝑇 = 2𝜋 , where L is the length of the pendulum.
𝑔
Ans: (9.8  0.1) m s-2

6) The density of a metal cylinder was determined by measuring its mass and its dimensions.
The following readings were obtained: mass of cylinder = (75.5  0.5) g,
diameter of cylinder = (1.78  0.01) cm, height of cylinder = (3.45  0.01) cm
Express the density of the cylinder with its associated uncertainty.

Ans: (8.8  0.2) g cm-3

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 Tuition Worksheets

KINEMATICS: LINEAR MOTION

1) A car accelerates uniformly from rest at 4 ms -2 for 3 s. Find (a) its final velocity, (b) its
average velocity, (c) the distance it has travelled.

2) A lorry brakes to a stop from a velocity of 20 ms -1 in 4s. Find (a) the acceleration of the
lorry, (b) the deceleration of the lorry, (c) the distance travelled during the braking.

3) An athlete accelerates at 3 ms-2 from a velocity of 4 ms-1 to a velocity of 8 ms-1. How far
has he travelled during the acceleration?

4) A motorcyclist accelerates from 15 ms -1 with an acceleration of 5 ms-2 for 3 s. How far do

they travel during the acceleration?

5) A car accelerates for 2s from 20 ms-1over a distance of 50 m. What is the acceleration of

the car?

6) At the start of a race a car accelerates from rest with an acceleration of 4 ms -2 covering a
distance of 8 m during the acceleration. How long does the acceleration take?

7) A car decelerates from 20 ms-1at 4 ms-2 over a distance of 25.5 m. What is the final
velocity of the car?

8) A ball is thrown vertically upwards with an initial velocity of 30 ms -1. Ignoring air
resistance, find (i) the time taken to reach its highest point, (ii) the distance then travelled.
Draw a velocity-time (𝑣 − 𝑡) graph to represent its motion.

9) The driver of a train travelling at 40 ms -1 applies the brakes as the train enters a station.
The train slows down at a rate of 1.8 ms-2. The platform is 400 m long. Will the train stop in
time?

10) Just as a car starts to accelerate from rest with an acceleration of 2.0 ms-2, a bus moving
with a constant speed of 10 ms-1passes it in a parallel lane.
(a) After how long will the car overtake the bus? (b) How fast will the car be going when it
overtakes the bus? (c) How far will the car have gone at that point?

11) The velocity of a car which is decelerating uniformly changes from 30 m s−1 to 15 m s−1
in 75 m. After what further distance will it come to rest?

12) A stone is thrown from the roof of a building with an initial velocity of 20 ms -1 straight
upwards. The building is 50 m high, and the stone just misses the edge of the roof on its way
down. Determine (i) the time needed for the stone to reach its maximum height, (ii) the
maximum height (from the roof), (iii) the velocity of the stone just before it hits the ground.

ANS: (1) 12 ms-1, 6 ms-1, 18 m, (2) -5 ms-2, 5 ms-2, 40 m, (3) 8m, (4) 67.5 m, (5) 5 ms-2, (6)
2 s, (7) 14 ms-1, (9) no (10) 10 s, 20 ms-1, 100 m (11) 25 m, (12) 2.04 s, 20.4 m, -37.2 ms-1

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 Tuition Worksheets

PROJECTILE MOTION (motion in 2 D)

15 ms-1
1) A stone is projected from rest with a speed of 15 ms-1 in
the horizontal direction from the top of a cliff, 45 m high
above the ground. How far from the bottom of the cliff does
the stone hit the ground? 45 m

(ans: 45.4 m)
ground level

2) A ball is kicked on the level ground at a velocity of 15 ms -1 at 30° to the horizontal.

(i) What is the maximum height reached and the time to reach this height. (2.87 m, 0.765 s)
(ii) How far away is the first bounce? (19.9 m)

15 ms-1
30°

3) A ball is thrown from the top of a cliff with a velocity of 15 m s-1, making an angle of 40o
above the horizontal. The height of the cliff above the ground is 45 m. calculate (a) the time
taken to reach the ground, b) the horizontal distance from the cliff to the point where the ball
hits the ground c) the velocity of the ball just before hitting the ground.

(Ans: 4.17 s, 47.9 m, 33.3 ms-1 at 69.8 to horizontal)

4) A ball is thrown at an angle of 30° to the horizontal at a speed of 20 ms -1.

Calculate its range and the maximum height reached. (ans: 34.6m, 5m)

5) Calculate the range of a projectile thrown at an angle of 60° to the horizontal with velocity
30 ms-1. (ans: 20 m)

6) You throw a ball at a speed of 20 ms -1.

(a) At what angle must you throw it so that it will just get over a wall that is 5 m high? (30)
(b) How far away from the wall must you be standing? (17.3 m)

7) A gun is aimed so that it points directly at the centre of a target 200 m away. If the bullet
travels at 200 ms-1 how far below the centre of the target will the bullet hit? (ans: 5 m)

8) If you can throw a ball at 20 ms -1 what is the maximum distance you can throw it?
(ans: 39.6 m)

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 Tuition Worksheets

DYNAMICS: NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

1) An aircraft of mass 20×103 kg lands on the ground with a horizontal velocity of 90 ms -1. If
it is brought to rest in a distance of 100 m, calculate the (average) retarding force acting on
the plane. (ans: – 81  104 N)

2) A car of mass 1000 kg tows a caravan of mass 800 kg and the two have an acceleration of
2 ms-2. If the only external force acting is that between the driving wheels and the road,
calculate (a) the value of this force and (b) the tension in the coupling between the car and the
caravan. (ans: 3600 N, 1600 N)

3) A car of mass 1000 kg is moving up a hill P

inclined at 30 to the horizontal. The total
frictional force on the car is 1000 N. Calculate the 1000 N
force P due to the engine when the car is
(a) accelerating at 2 ms-2, (b) moving with a steady
velocity of 15 ms-1. (ans: 7905 N, 5905 N) mg

F/N
4) A force F acts on a body initially at rest on a smooth 10
surface for a time t. The variation of F with t is shown in the
graph. Calculate the momentum gained by the object.
(ans: 15 Ns)
1 2 t/s
5) The mass of raindrops falling on a flat roof is 0.2kgs-1.
The raindrops have a velocity of 10 ms -1 just before hitting the roof and then come to rest.
Find the force exerted on the roof by the raindrops. (ans: 2 N)

6) A hose ejects water at a speed of 20 cms -1 through a hole of area 100 cm2. The water
strikes a wall normally and is brought to rest there. The density of water is 1 gcm -3. Calculate
the force on the wall. (ans: 0.4 N)

7) A toy rocket of mass 2kg stands vertically on its launching. The mass of gas ejected from
the bottom of the rocket is initially 0.5kgs-1. The speed of the gas relative to the rocket is 50
ms-1. Find the initial acceleration of the rocket. (ans: 2.69 ms-2)
3m
8) Two blocks P and Q of masses m and 3 m respectively are m
accelerated along a level smooth surface by a force F applied to Q
F P
block P. What is the magnitude of the force, in terms of F,
𝟑𝑭
exerted by block Q on block P? (ans: 𝟒 )

9) The figure shows a tractor of mass trailor tractor

T T 8000N
1000 kg pulling a trailer of mass 3000 3000 kg 1000 kg
kg. The frictional force on the tractor is
1000N, on the trailer it is 2000 N, and
the tractor engine exerts a force of
8000N. Calculate (a) the acceleration of 2000N 1000N
the tractor and trailer, (b) the tension T
in the tow-bar connecting the tractor and trailer. (ans: 1.25 ms-2, 5750 N)

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 Tuition Worksheets

10) (a) Calculate the magnitude and direction of 3 ms-1

the momentum change of the ball in the 0.2 kg 0.2 kg
diagram. (ans: 𝟎. 𝟔 𝟐 Ns)
3 ms-1
(b) A ball of mass 0.50 kg moving at 6 ms -1 hits
a wall normally and bounces back with a speed 45 45
of 4 ms-1. If the ball was in contact with the
wall for 0.2 s find the average force exerted on the ball by the wall. (ans: 25 N)

c) A stationary golf ball is hit with a club which exerts an average force of 80 N over a time
of 0.025s. Calculate (i) the change in momentum, (ii) the velocity acquired by the ball if it
has a mass of 0.020kg. (ans: 2 Ns, 100 ms-1)

CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM

1) An object A of mass 5 kg moves to the right with a velocity of 4ms -1. An object B of mass
3 kg moves to the left with a velocity of 8 ms-1. Calculate (a) the momentum of A (b) the
momentum of B, (c) the total momentum of A and B.

2) A 2kg object moving with a velocity of 8 ms -1 collides with a 4kg object moving with a
velocity of 5 ms-1 along the same line. If the two objects join together on impact, calculate
their common velocity when they are initially moving (a) in the same direction, (b) in
opposite directions.
2ms-1 𝑣
3) Object A makes a head-on
2kg 3ms-1 4ms-1
collision with object B. What is 1kg
the velocity v of object B after A B A B
collision? before collision after collision

4) A ball of mass 0.6 kg hit normally the ground with a velocity of 10 ms -1. It then bounces
from the ground with a velocity of 5.5 ms-1. During the impact, the
ball is in contact with the ground for 0.15 s. 5.5 ms-1
(a) Calculate (i) the average force on the ball by the ground due to
the impact (ii) the average force on the ground by the ball. ground
(b) Why the collision between the ball and the ground is inelastic?
(c) State and explain why conservation of linear momentum applies
during the bounce. 10 ms-1

5) The figure shows two trolleys A and B initially at rest, separated compressed spring
by a compressed spring. The spring is now released and the 3 kg
trolley moves with a velocity of 1ms -1 to the right. Calculate (a) the B A
velocity of the 2 kg trolley (b) the total KE of the trolleys. 2kg 3kg
Neglect the mass of the spring and any friction forces.

6) A stationary Thorium nucleus 232 90 𝑇ℎ decays by emitting an α-particle of mass 4 units. Find
k.e of ∝−particle
the ratio of k.e of recoiling daughter nucleus .

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7) A bullet of mass 10 g is fired at 400 ms -1 from a gun of mass 4 kg.

(a) What is the recoil velocity of the gun?
(b) The bullet embeds itself in a wooden block of mass 390 g resting on a smooth surface.
Calculate the velocity that the block moves off on impact.
k.e of gained by bullet
(c) Calculate the ratio of k.e gained by gun .

8) A 2kg object moving with velocity 6 ms-1 collides with a stationary object of mass 1 kg.
Assuming that the collision is perfectly elastic, calculate the velocity of each object after the
collision.

9) The pellet from an air rifle is fired horizontally into a ball of plasticine suspended by a
vertical thread, causing the ball to rise through a vertical height of 10 cm. Calculate the speed
of the pellet, given that its mass is 1.2 g and the mass of the plasticine is 96 g.

10) A cart of mass M moves with constant velocity v on a frictionless road. Rain is falling
vertically on to the road and begins to fill the cart at a steady rate of  kgs-1. Find an
expression for the velocity of the cart t seconds later

ANS: (1) 20 Ns, -24 Ns, -4 Ns, (2) 6 ms-1, 2/3 ms-1, (3) 6 ms-1, (4) 67.9 N,
(5) 3.75 J, 1.5 ms-1, (6) 57, (7) 1.0 ms-1 to left, 1.0 ms-1 to right, 400:1, (8) 2 ms-1, 8 ms-1,
𝑴
(9) 113 ms-1, (10) 𝑴+𝝁𝒕 𝒗

Oblique (2D) collisions

1) A body A of mass 4 kg moving at 12 ms -1 hits a stationary body B of mass 12 kg. Bodies

A and B move off at 60 and 30 respectively to the initial direction of A. Find the speeds of
A and B after the collision. (ans: 6.0 ms-1, 3.46 ms-1)

2) Ball P of mass 0.3 kg, moving with velocity 5 ms -1, hits a stationary ball Q of mass 0.4 kg.
Q moves off with velocity of 2 ms -1 at 30 to the initial direction of P. Find the velocity of P
and its direction after hitting Q. (ans: 3 ms-1 at 27 to initial direction)

3) A 2300 kg cannon mounted on a railway car fires a 45

kg shell at a velocity of 650 ms -1 at an angle of 34 above
the horizontal. Calculate the re-coil velocity of the gun.
(ans: 10.5 ms-1)

4) A 2.0 kg puck travelling at 5.0 m/s collides obliquely with a 3.0 kg puck initially at rest.
After the collision the 2.0 kg puck travels at 2.5 m/s at an angle of 34 above the horizontal.
Calculate the velocity (speed & direction) of the 3.0 kg puck after collision.
(ans: 2.2 ms-1 at 30 S of E)

5) A 2.5 kg ball travelling due east at 5.0 ms -1 collides with and sticks to a 6.3 kg ball of putty
travelling at 3.5 ms-1 due south. Calculate the speed of the combined mass after the collision.
(ans: 2.9 ms-1 at 60 S of E)

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6) A radioactive nucleus, initially at rest, decays by emitting an electron and a neutrino at

right angles to one another. The momentum of the electron is 1.2  10-22 Ns and that of the
neutrino is 6.4  10-23 Ns. Find the direction and magnitude of the momentum of the recoiling
nucleus. (ans: 1.4  10-22 Ns at 152 with direction of electron)

7) A particle A moving with velocity 𝑢𝐴 , along the x-axis makes an elastic collision with a
particle of equal mass, B, that is initially at rest. After the collision, the incident particle
moves off with velocity 𝑣𝐴 , at an angle 𝜃 to the x-axis, and the target particle with velocity 𝑣𝐵
at an angle 𝜑 to the x-axis.
(a) Draw a labeled vector diagram showing the vector sum 𝑉 of the velocities 𝑣𝐴 and 𝑣𝐵 after
impact.
(b) Show that the Principle of Conservation of Momentum requires that 𝑉 should be equal to
𝑢𝐴 in magnitude and direction.
(c) Using the fact that the collision is elastic, show that 𝜃 + 𝜑 = 90°.

EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES

1) The rod AB is 0.3 m long. Find the torque on the rod in each of the following positions:
2N

2N
2N
120
A B
2N 60
2N

2N
2) A uniform rod of mass 1.5 kg is hinged (pivoted) at one
end to a smooth wall and are held horizontally by a thread
tied to its other end as shown in the diagram.
Draw lines with arrows to represent all forces acting on the thread
rod. Label the forces and draw a vector diagram to represent wall
the relationship between these forces. 30
Calculate the tension T in the thread.
hinge rod

3) A ladder of mass 32 kg rests at an angle against a

smooth wall as shown in the diagram. The centre of
gravity of the ladder is at its mid-point.
a) Determine the force R exerted by the wall on
the ladder by taking moments about the base
of the ladder.
b) Explain why the force at the base of the ladder
was not included when doing the calculation in (a).

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4) A 62 kg person lies flat on a uniform plank of mass 15 kg. The plank, with the person
lying on it, is placed on a brick and some bathroom scales, as shown in the diagram
below.

The person’s toe-to-head distance is 1.56 m. The length of the plank is also 1.56 m.
a) Sketch the diagram above. On your sketch, show all the forces acting on the plank.
b) The reading on the bathroom scales is 30 kg. Use this information to determine how
far the centre of gravity of the person is from the toes.

ANSWERS: (1) 0.6 Nm, 0.52 Nm, 0.3 Nm, (2) 14.7 N (3) 59 N, (4) 0.99 m

5) A load of 50 N is hung from one end of a uniform

rod of weight 20 N. The other end of the rod is
hinged to a wall and held horizontal by a cable. Find cable
the (i) force in the wire (ii) and force exerted by the wall
30
hinge on the rod.
hinge rod
(ans: 120 N, 104 N)
50 N
6) A uniform rod of is held horizontal between
two walls by a wire and a hinge as shown in the
diagram.
(i) Show with arrows all forces on the rod. wire
wall wall
(ii) Explain why the tension in the wire is not rod 40
enough to balance the weight of the rod.
(iii) The tension in the wire is 20 N and weight of hinge
the rod is 10 N. Find the magnitude of the force
exerted by the wall on the rod. (ans: 15.6 N)

7) A uniform ladder 4 m long of mass 25 kg, rest with one end on a rough ground at an angle
of 60  to the horizontal, with its upper end resting on a smooth wall. Find the (i) force of the
wall on the ladder and (ii) force of the ground on the ladder. (ans: 72.2 N, 260 N)

8) A painter weighing 1000 N stands on a uniform board of

weight 500 N and length 4 m. The board is held horizontal
by two vertical cables A and B. Calculate the distance the A B
painter should stand from cable A so that the ratio of tension
in cable A to tension in cable B is 2:3. (ans: 2.6 m)
board

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FORCES, DENSITY & PRESSURE

1) Two liquids A and B of different densities are

contained in a wide U-tube. The heights of the two
liquids above the dotted line are a and b.

(a) Find the ratio of the density of liquid A to the b

density of liquid B. Liquid Liquid
a
A B
(b) The U-tube is transported on the moon where the
gravitational field strength is 1/6 of that on Earth.
Explain what happens to the liquid levels in the
tube.
𝑏
(ans: 𝑎 )

2) Calculate the upthrust on an iron cube of size 0.1 m and mass 5.0 kg when entirely
immersed in seawater. ((iron = 7860 kgm-3, seawater = 1030 kgm-3) (ans: 10.1 N)

3) A thread supports a piece of iron of mass 150g totally immersed in water. Given that the
density of iron is 8000 kgm-3 and the density of water is 1000 kgm-3, calculate the tension in
the thread. (ans: 1.29 N)

4) Calculate the volume of 300 cm3 ice above water. (water = 1.0 g cm-3, ice = 0.9 g cm-3)
(ans: 30 cm3)

5) The base area A of a barge at a water-line is 80 m2 and the sides of the barge are vertical.
Find the extra depth to which the barge will sink when loaded in fresh water with 20 tons of
cargo. (ans: 25 cm)

WORK, ENERGY, POWER

1) A body of mass 5 kg is initially at rest on a horizontal frictionless surface. A force of 15 N

acts on it and accelerates it to a final velocity of 12 ms -1. Calculate (a) the distance travelled,
(b) the work done by the force, (c) the final k.e of
the body.

2) A block of mass 3kg is pulled 5 m up a smooth A D

plane inclined at 30 to the horizontal, by a force
of 25 N parallel to the plane. Find the velocity of
the block when it reaches the top of the plane.
C
3) A mass of 150 kg is released from rest at A and 60m
60m
moves along a frictionless track. (a) Calculate (i)
its maximum k.e, (ii) its maximum velocity, (iii) 20m
its velocity at C. (b) Explain what happens when
it reaches D.
B

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4) A train of mass 10×103 kg, initially at rest, accelerates uniformly at 0.50 ms-2. Calculate
the power required at time 5 s and 8 s, assuming (a) no resistive forces, (b) resistive forces of
1kN act.

5) A car of mass 1.2×103 kg moves up an incline at a steady speed of 15ms -1 against a

frictional force of 0.6 k N. The incline is such that it rises 1 m for every 10m along the
incline. Calculate the output power of the car engine.

6) An object of mass 5 kg is pulled along an inclined

plane of length 5m as shown. B
5m
(a) Calculate the work done to move the object from
A to B if (i) the plane is smooth (ii) the frictional F 2m
force between the object and the plane is 6 N. (b)
assuming frictional force on the object stays at 6 N,
find the speed of the object at point A after it is being A
released from rest at point B.
3kg
7) A 3 kg mass is held on a frictionless plane of 30. A long
inextensible string is tied to the 3 kg mass and a 1 kg mass
over a frictionless pulley as shown in the diagram. The 1kg
system is allowed to move from rest. Find the change in p.e
of the system when the 3kg moves by 2 m. 30

8) 20×103 kg of water moving at 2.2 ms-1 is incident on a water wheel each second. Calculate
the maximum power output from the mill, assuming 40 % efficiency.

9) A car of mass 1000 kg moves at a constant speed of 30 ms-1 on a horizontal road against a
total frictional force of 1200N. (a) Calculate the power of the car engine.
(b) The car moves up a hill inclined at 10 to the horizontal. Calculate the power needed to
keep the car moving at a steady speed of 30 ms-1 if the total frictional force on the car
remains constant at 1200N. (c) The car moves down the same hill with the engine working at
a constant engine power of 50 kW. Calculate the total frictional force on the car if it moves
down the hill at a steady speed of 40 ms-1.

ANSWERS: (1) 24 m,360 J, (2) 5.8 ms-1 (3) 90 kJ, 34.6 ms-1, 28.3 ms-1, (4) 12.5 kW, 20
kW, 15 kW, 24 kW, (5) 27 kW, (6) 100 J, 130 J, 5.3 ms-1, (7) -9.81 J, (8) 19 kW, (9) 36
kW, 88 kW, 2990 N.

CIRCULAR MOTION

1) A pulley wheel rotates 300 rev min-1. Calculate (a) its angular velocity in rads -1, (b) the
linear speed of a point on the rim if the pulley has a radius of 150 mm, (c) the time for one
revolution. (ans: 31.4 rad s-1, 4.71 ms-1, 0.200 s)

2) An object of mass 0.30 kg is attached to the end of a string and is supported on a smooth
horizontal surface. The object moves in a horizontal circle of radius 0.50 m with a constant
speed of 2.0 ms-1. Calculate the tension in the string. (ans: 8.0 ms-2, 2.4 N)

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3) An object of mass 4 kg is whirled round in a vertical circle of radius 2 m with a speed of

5 ms-1. Calculate the maximum and minimum tension in the string connecting the object to
the centre of the circle. (ans: 90 N, 10 N)

4) A car travels over a humpback bridge of radius of curvature 45m. Calculate the maximum
speed of the car if its road wheels are to stay in contact with the bridge. (ans: 21.2 ms-1)

5) A conical pendulum consists of a small bob of mass 0.20kg attached to an inextensible

string of length 0.80m. The bob rotates in a horizontal circle of radius 0.40 m, of which the
centre is vertically below the point of suspension. Calculate (a) the linear speed of the bob in
ms-1, (b) the period of rotation of the bob, (c) the tension in the string.
(ans: 1.5 ms-1, 1.7 s, 2.3 N)

6) (a) What is the angular velocity of the second hand and minute hand of a clock?
(ans: 0.104 rads-1, 0.0017 rads-1)

(b) A stone is whirled at the end of a string 1 m long and it makes 10 complete revolutions in
5 seconds. Find the angular velocity and linear speed of the stone.
(ans: 12.6 rads-1, 12.6 ms-1)

7) A road bridge over a river is shaped like a vertical circular arc of radius r. Find the greatest
speed at which a car can cross the bridge without bumping off the ground at the highest point.
If the radius of the arc is 200 m, find the centripetal acceleration if the car move uniformly
with the maximum permissible speed.
(ans: 𝒗 ≤ 𝒈𝒓, 9.8 ms-2)

8) A stone of mass 2 kg is whirled in a horizontal circular path by a string 1 m long.

(a) If the stone makes 4 revolutions in 2 seconds, find the tension in the string.
(b) If the string can withstand a maximum tension of 400 N, calculate the maximum speed at
which the stone can be whirled without snapping the string. (ans: 315.5 N, 14.4 ms-1)

GRAVITATION

Gravitational constant, G = 6.67 × 10–11 Nm2 kg–2, Radius of Earth = 6.4  106 m
Mass of Earth = 6.0  1024 Kg, Mass of Sun = 2.0  1030 Kg, Radius of Earth’s orbit = 1.5  1011 m
Mass of the Moon= 7.35  1022 Kg, Radius of the Moon = 1.74  106 m,
Radius of the Moon’s orbit = 3.84  10 m, acceleration of free fall, g = 9.81 m s
8 –2

1) Calculate the gravitational attraction force between masses 3 kg and 2 kg placed with their
centres 50 cm apart. (ans: 1.6  10-9 N)

2) Two bodies of mass 0.20 kg and 0.30 kg are placed 0.15 m apart. A third particle of mass
0.050 kg is placed between them on the line joining the first two bodies. Calculate (i) the
gravitational force acting on the third body if it is placed 5 cm from the 0.3 kg mass, (ii)
where along the line it should be placed for no gravitational force to be exerted on it.
(ans: 3410-11 N, 0.067 m from 0.20 kg)

3) Assuming that the Earth is a uniform sphere of radius 6.4106 m and mass 6.0  1024 kg,
calculate the gravitational field strength g at a point (i) on the surface, (ii) at a height 0.50
times its radius above the Earth’s surface. (ans: 9.8 Nkg-1, 4.4 Nkg-1)
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4) The acceleration due to gravity at the Earth’s surface is 9.8 ms -2. Calculate the acceleration
due to gravity on a planet which has (i) the same mass and twice the density, (ii) the same
density and twice the radius. (ans: 15.6 ms-1, 19.6 ms-1)

5) Assuming that the Earth is a uniform sphere of radius 6.4106 m and mass 6.0  1024 kg,
calculate (a) the gravitational potential at (i) the Earth’s surface and (ii) a point 6.0105 m
above the Earth’s surface, (b) the work done in taking a 5.0 kg mass from the Earth’s surface
to a point 6.0105 m above it, (c) the work done in taking a 5.0 kg from the Earth’s surface to
a point where the Earth’s gravitational effect is negligible.
(ans: - 6.3  107 Jkg-1, - 5.7  107 Jkg-1, 2.7  107, 31107 J)

6) Calculate the minimum speed which a body must have to escape from the moon’s
gravitational field, given that the moon has a mass 7.7 1022 kg and radius 1.7 106 m.
(ans: 2500 ms-1)

7) A satellite of mass 100 kg is orbiting the Earth at a height of 1000 km above the ground.
a) Calculate (i) the gravitational force on it, (ii) the gravitational field strength at this orbit,
(iii) the gravitational potential at this orbit, (iv) the satellite linear speed at this orbit, (v)
the change in g.p.e of the satellite when it is raised from the Earth surface into the orbit,
(vi) the total energy needed to place the satellite in the orbit.
b) Describe and explain what happens to the speed of the satellite when it moves to an
orbit that is closer to the Earth. (ans: 731 N, 7.31 Nkg-1, 5.41  107 Jkg-1, 7350 ms-1,
8.45  108 J, 3.55  109 J)

8) A 750 kg satellite is launched in a geostationary orbit above the Earth.

Calculate (i) its height above the equator, (ii) its linear speed, (iii) the linear speed gained
by the satellite when it is launched from the equator in the direction of rotation of the
Earth, (iv) the gain in g.p.e of the satellite when it is raised from the Earth surface into the
geostationary orbit. (Ans: 36000 km, 3100 ms-1, 463 ms-1, 3.98  1010 J)

9) (a) A planet is in circular orbit around the sun with an orbital period T and orbital radius
r. Show T2  r3. (b) By taking g = 10 N kg -1 at the Earth’s surface, estimate the mean
density of the Earth. (ans: 5500 kgm-3)

DEFORMATION OF SOLIDS

1) A steel spring of natural length of 25 cm is hung vertically from a

fixed point. When a 5.0 N weight is hung from its lower end, it
stretches to a length of 45 cm. Calculate (i) the stiffness constant k of
the spring, (ii) the additional weight needed to lengthen the spring to
50 cm, (iii) the weight needed in place of the 5.0 N weight to extend
the spring by 5 cm exactly from its natural length. 10N bar
(Ans: 25 Nm-1, 1.25 N, 1.25 N)

2) Two identical springs each have a natural length of 300 mm and a

stiffness constant 400 Nm-1. Calculate the length of each spring when
hung vertically (i) with one spring supporting a 10 N weight joined
end-on to the other spring, (ii) side-by-side from the same level to
support a horizontal bar 10 N bar. (Ans: 325 mm, 312.5 mm) 10N

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3) A vertical wire of length 2 m and diameter 0.64 mm is extended by 0.60 mm when a 2 kg

mass is attached to its lower end. Assuming that the elastic limit has not exceeded, calculate
(i) the tensile stress and strain on the wire, ii) the value of the Young modulus of the wire,
iii) the energy stored in the stretched wire, v) the maximum load which can be attached to the
wire if the wire has an ultimate tensile stress of 0.5 GPa.
(ans: 6.0  107 Nm-2, 0.310-3, 2.0  1011 Nm-2. 5.9 mJ, 160 N)

4) A steel wire of diameter 0.40 mm and initial length 2.0 m is hung vertically from a fixed
support. When an 80 N weight is suspended from the lower end of the wire so that it hangs
freely, the wire extends by 6.4 mm. Calculate the Young modulus for the material of the wire.
(ans: 2.0  1011 Pa)

5) A uniform iron bar of diameter 8.0 mm and initial length 500 mm is heated uniformly until
it expands by 0.4 mm. It is then clamped firmly at its ends and allowed to cool. Because it is
unable to contract, tension builds up. Calculate the tension and energy stored in the bar when
cooled. Assume the Young modulus for the bar is 0.18 Tpa. (ans: 7.24  103 N, 1.45 J)

6) A metal bar is of length 2.0m and has a square cross-section of side 40 mm. When a tensile
force of 80 kN is applied, it extends by 0.046mm. Calculate (a) the stress, (b) the strain in the
specimen. (ans: 5.0  107 Pa, 2.310-5)

7) A steel bar is of length 0.50m and has a rectangular cross-section 15mm by 30mm. If the
tensile force of 36 kN produces an extension of 0.20mm, calculate the Young’s modulus for
steel. Assume that the limit of proportionality is not exceeded. (ans: 2.0  1011 Pa)

8) An aluminum alloy strut in the landing gear of an aircraft has a cross-sectional area of 60
mm2 and a length of 0.45m. During landing the strut is subjected to a compressive force of
3.6 kN. Calculate by how much the strut will shorten under this force. Assume that Young’s
modulus for the alloy is 90 GNm-2 and the proportional limit is not exceeded. (ans: 0.30 mm)

9) A vertical steel wire of length 0.80m and radius 1.0mm has a mass of 20kg applied to its
lower end. Assuming that the proportional limit is not exceeded, calculate (a) the extension,
(b) the energy stored per unit volume in the wire. Take the Young modulus for steel as
2.0×1011 Nm-2 and g as 10ms-2. (ans: 0.25 mm, 1.0  104 Jm-3)

10) A large crane has a steel lifting cable of diameter 36 mm. The steel has a Young modulus
of 200 GPa. When the crane is used to lift 20 kN, the unstretched cable length is 25.0 m.
Calculate the extension of the cable. (ans: 2.5 mm)

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