GRADE 11 SSIP MATERIAL

TECHNICAL SCIENCES

2024

LEARNER GUIDE

SESSION 1

What you already know:

• Define vectors, scalars, resultant vector.
• Write down examples of vectors and scalars.
• Draw graphical representations of vectors.
• Apply vector addition using calculation or a simple sketch.
• Motion in one dimension.
• Define position, distance, and displacement.
• Differentiate between distance and displacement.
• Determine the distance and displacement.
• Define speed, velocity, and acceleration.
• Calculate speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you must be able to:

• Define the term force.
• Define a contact force and noncontact force.
• Give examples of a contact force and noncontact force.
• Calculate the force/weight exerted on an object.
• Define position, distance and displacement.
• Differentiate between distance and displacement.
• Calculate speed, velocity and acceleration.

Grade 10 Revision

Vectors and Scalars

• Physical quantity can either be a vector or a scalar.
• For example, mass, length, and time can only be described as scalar quantities
since they have magnitude only.
• A scalar quantity is defined as a physical quantity that has magnitude only.
• A vector is defined as a physical quantity that has magnitude and
direction.
• Scalar quantities are not represented graphically (a simple sketch).

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 • However, we can make use of a graphical representation of vectors instead of
using words only.
• We do this by making use of an arrow as shown below.
Arrowhead

GRADE 10 REVISION

• Length/size of the arrow represents the magnitude, and the

arrowhead/point represents the direction of a vector.
• Multiple vectors can be added together to obtain the resultant vector.
• Resultant vector is a single vector which can produce the same effect as
the two or more vectors combined together.

Speed
• Speed is the rate of change of distance (how fast an object covers a
distance).
Formula for Speed:
𝒅
𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 =
𝒕

Velocity
• Speed and velocity are related but they are not entirely the same.
• Velocity is based on displacement whereas speed is based on distance.
• Velocity is the rate of change of displacement.

Formula for Velocity

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 Acceleration
• Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

Formular for acceleration:

How do we know that an object is accelerating?

1. When there is a change in the object’s velocity (when velocity is

not equal to zero).
2. When there is a change in direction.
Note: Same or constant velocity means zero acceleration.

PYTHAGORAS THEOREM

When two or more forces act on an object and are perpendicular to each
other, which technique can be used to find its resultant force?
A. Hypotenuse theorem
B. Adjacent theorem
C. Pythagoras theorem
D. Opposite theorem

Using the bearing method, direction of the vector in the diagram

below is…

A. northwest

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 B. 40o north of east
C. bearing of 60o.
D. bearing of 310o

1.4. Static frictional force acts when an object is…

A. moving
B. stationary
C. falling
D. sliding

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY

Question 1
1.1 Define the term vector in words.
1.2 State whether the following is a vector or a scalar. Provide a reason for
each answer.
1.2.1 Time
1.2.2 Displacement

1.3 A force of 5 N is applied to the right on the block and a force of 2,5 N is
acting in the opposite direction of the 6 N force as shown in the diagram
below.

1.3.1 Define the term resultant in words.

1.3.2 Use a vector scale diagram and determine the net resultant force acting
on the block.

IDENTIFICATION OF VARIABLES

The following are different types of variables:

• Independent variable: it is the one that is being manipulated and changed at
constant intervals.
• It is plotted on the x-axis on a Cartesian plane.
• Dependent variable: it responds to the manipulated variable. It is dependent
on the changes made to the independent variable.
• it is plotted on the y-axis of the Cartesian plane.
• Controlled variables: are the ones that will be fixed and kept constant
throughout the investigation in order to get unbiased (fair) results.

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 DIRECT AND INVERSE PROPORTION

The graph of direct proportion is assumed to simply be a straight-line graph and so

the y-intercept can vary from the origin.
Graph of direct proportion:

Inverse Proportion
How do you know if something is inversely proportional?
• If one variable decreases, the other decreases in the same proportion.
• Inversely proportional variables are those in which one variable decreases
with the increase in another variable and one variable increases with the
decrease in another variable
Graph of inverse proportion

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 Exercise
Which of the following graph represents direct proportionality?

ASSESSMENT
Use the information on the table to answer the questions that follow.

3.1. Draw a graph of speed versus time. Use the graph sheet provided (6)
3.2. Give the relationship between speed and time.
Briefly discuss and support your answer by referring to the graph. (3)
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 SESSION 2

Forces

Summary of classification of forces

Force is defined as a push or a pull.

• Force can be described as an interaction between two objects which causes
either a push or a pull effect.
• The objects can either be in contact with each other or they can be far
apart.
• Forces are classified as:
• Contact forces or non-contact forces.
• A force/weight of an object can be calculated by making use of the following
equation:
• Fg = m × g

EXERCISE 4

4.1. Define the term resultant. (2) (NW)

4.2. Consider the following forces acting on an object.

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 4.2.1. Draw a free-body diagram indicating only the horizontal forces acting
on the object. (4)
4.2.2. Determine the resultant of the forces acting on the object. (3)

The following diagram shows an electricity pole and a cable used to

strengthen it. The cable is fastened at a height AB marked 5 meters
from the bottom. The cable is fastened at a distance BC marked 2
meters to the right from the base of the pole as shown in the diagram
below.

4.3.1. Calculate the length of the cable.

(3)
4.4. A force FA is applied to an object as illustrated below.

Determine the:

4.4.1. x component (3)

4.4.2. y component (3)
4.4.3. Draw a labelled vector diagram using the components calculated above and the
applied force. (3)

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 EXERCISE 6

Below is a setup of an experiment conducted by a group of grade 11 learners in order

to determine the mass of an unknown object. They used a set of frictionless pulleys
and inextensible ropes.

6.1. Determine the magnitude of:

6.1.1. F1. (3)
6.1.2. F2. (2)
6.2. Determine, by ACCURATE CONSTRUCTION AND MEASUREMENT, the
magnitude of the unknown mass.
Use scale 1cm: 3N (6)
Use scale 1cm: 3N (6)
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EXERCISE 7 (NW)

7.1. Define the following terms:

7.1.1. Static friction (2)
7.1.2. Normal Force (2)
7.2. A box of 5 kg is resting on a rough table. A learner applies a force of 40 N
horizontally to the left as shown on the diagram below. The coefficient of static
friction (μs) is 0,21

7.2.1. Draw a free-body diagram indicating all the forces acting on the
block as it rests on the table. (4)

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 7.2.2. Calculate the normal force exerted by the table on the box. (3)
7.2.3. Calculate the static frictional force acting between the box and the
table. (3)
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SESSION 3

QUESTION 8

8.1 Define the term resultant. (2)

8.2 Study the diagram below and provide labels for the parts A, B and C. (3)

8.3 Calculate the total vector if two forces, of 100 N and 80 N, are exerted on an
object, as shown below.

8.4 Siya walks 6 metres in an easterly direction and then continues to walk
5 metres north. The directions are indicated in the figure below.

Use the head-to-tail method and graphically determine the direction of his
displacement.
(6)
8.5 A worker is using a ladder to fix a light bulb on a wall. The top of the ladder is
resting against the wall at a point 4 metres above the ground. The base of the
ladder is 1 metre away from the bottom of the wall, as shown in the figure
below.

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 Calculate the length of the ladder. (6)

Exercise 9

9.1Use the parallelogram of forces and determine graphically the magnitude

and direction of the resultant for the system of forces, as indicated in the
figure below. (Use scale: 1 mm = 5 N) (6)

9.2 A 60 N force is exerted by a person pulling on the leash of a dog in the

opposite direction. The leash is at an angle of 40 degrees with the horizontal,
as shown in the figure below.

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 9.2.1 Calculate the horizontal component. (3)
9.2.2 Calculate the vertical component. (3)
9.2.3 Graphically show the direction of the horizontal and vertical components, as
calculated above, by means of a sketch. (3)
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EXERCISE 10
A box of 3 kg is resting on a table. A learner pushes the box with a horizontal force
of 50 N to the right. The coefficient for static friction (μs) = 0,35.

10.1 Define frictional force. (2)

4.2 Calculate the maximum static frictional force before the box moves to the
right(5)
10.3 Draw a free body diagram to indicate all the forces experienced by the box. (4)
10.4 The kinetic friction is 40% of the normal force. Calculate the kinetic frictional
force that the box is experiencing while moving towards the right. (5)
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 EXERCISE 11

Three forces F1= 50 N east, F2 = 20 N west and F3 = 40 N north, act on an object

as shown in the figure below.

11.1 Define the term resultant of two vectors. (2)

11.2 Identify TWO forces that are collinear in the diagram. (2)
11.3 Determine the resultant of the 20 N and 50 N forces. (2)
11.4 Hence determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of all the forces
acting on the object. (5)
11.5 If the magnitude of F2 is changed to 50 N, what is the magnitude and direction
of the resultant of all the forces acting on the object? (2)
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EXERCISE 12

A photo frame is supported by two pieces of strings A and B as shown in the figure.
String A is making an angle of 46° with the horizontal and string B is making an angle
of 30° with the horizontal.
The tensions on strings A and B are:
String A is T1 = 25 N and string B is T2 = 20 N.

12.1State the parallelogram law of forces. (2)

12.2 Calculate the resultant of tensions T1 and T2 using the parallelogram method.
(Scale: 5 N: 5 mm) (6)
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 SESSION 4

EXERCISE 13

A block of mass 10 kg is on a rough horizontal surface. A force of

F1 = 40 N is applied at an angle of 35° with the horizontal and another force F2 due
east is applied on the block as shown in the figure.
The block moves due west with a constant velocity.
The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the surface is 0,38.

13.1.1 Calculate the horizontal component of force F1. (3)

13.1.2 Define the term kinetic frictional force. (2)
13.1.3 Draw a free body diagram of all the forces acting on the 10 kg block. (5)
13.1.4 Calculate the magnitude of force F2. (5)
13.2 How does the coefficient of kinetic friction change if another identical block is
placed over the first one?
Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)
13.3 A girl applies a force of 118 N on a block resting on a rough horizontal surface.
The coefficient of static friction between the block and the surface is 0,6.

Determine by calculation whether the block will ACCELERATE, MOVE WITH

CONSTANT VELOCITY or NOT MOVE AT ALL when the girl applies a 118 N
force.(5)
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 EXERCISE 14

Displacements of two learners, Siya and Tando, are shown on the Cartesian co-
ordinates system. Siya travelled from A to B and Tando travelled from P to Q.
(Scale: 1 main scale division = 1 m.)

14.1.1 What is the distance travelled by Siya? (2)

14.1.2 What is the displacement of Tando? (2)
14.2 Two construction workers are pulling a concrete block by using a long rope as
shown in the figure below. Worker 1 exerts a force of F1 = 130 N and worker 2
exerts a force of F2 = 70 N.

14.2.1 Define the term resultant vector. (2)

14.2.2 Using a scale diagram, find the resultant force experienced by the block. (20
N : 10 mm) (3)
14.3 Two men exert force on a block of bricks from two buildings are as shown in the
figure below. The man on building 1 lifts the bricks upwards with a force F1 = 118 N
and the other man, on building 2, pulls the bricks horizontally with a force F2 = 80 N.

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 14.3.1 Define co-planar vectors. (2)
14.3.2 Name ONE non-contact force and ONE contact force in the above diagram. (4)
14.3.3 Calculate the resultant force acting on the block of bricks in the vertical
direction. (5)
14.3.4 Hence calculate the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the block of
bricks. (3)
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EXERCISE 15

DIAGRAM 1 below shows a ROPE tied to two poles so that it is horizontal.

DIAGRAM 2 shows an iron ball of mass m suspended from the same rope so that it
sags.

15.1.1 Calculate the vertical component of tension T1. (3)

15.1.2 Calculate the vertical component of tension T2. (2)
15.1.3 Calculate the resultant of vertical components of T1 and T2. (3)
15.1.4 Hence calculate the mass m of the iron ball. (4)
15.2 A steel beam is supported by two ropes as shown below. T1 = 70 N and T2 = 50 N
are the tensions on the ropes and the angle between the ropes is 50°.

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 15.2.1 State the parallelogram law of forces. (2)
15.2.2 Use the parallelogram law of forces and determine graphically the magnitude
and direction of the resultant tension of tensions T1 and T2. (7)
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QUESTION 16

A box with a mass of 100 kg is being pulled over a frictional surface with a horizontal
force of F = 1 200 N as shown in the figure below. The coefficient of kinetic friction
is μk = 0,2.

16.1 Define force of friction. (2)

16.2 Draw a free body diagram showing all the forces acting on the box. (4)
16.3 Calculate the kinetic frictional force experienced by the box. (4)
16.4 What would be the magnitude of the frictional force if the object is moving with
constant velocity? (2)
16.5 What would be the resultant force acting on the object in QUESTION 4.4? (1)
16.6 How would the kinetic frictional force change (Write down INCREASES,
DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.)
16.6.1 If the force F acts at an angle of 30° to the horizontal? (1)
16.6.2 If the mass of the box is increased? (1)
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 SESSION 5

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.

Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1–1.10)
in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.11 D.

1.1 Vectors that are in the same plane are called …

A co-linear

B resultant

C co-planar

D equilibrant (2)
1.2 The direction of a vector given as a bearing of x° means the angle, x°, is measured …

A clockwise from the Eastern direction

B clockwise from the Northern direction

C anticlockwise from the Northern direction

D clockwise from the vertically upward direction (2)

1.3 An object slides along a rough surface. The magnitude of force of kinetic

friction is INDEPENDENT of the …

A mass of the object

B surface area of the object

C nature of the two sliding surfaces

D normal force acting on the object

1.4 A motor mechanic investigates the fuel consumption of a car by measuring the amount of fuel
the car consumes for every 40 km travelled. The table below shows the results obtained.

Which ONE of the following is the CORRECT relationship between the distance travelled and fuel
consumed?

A Direct proportion

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 B Inverse proportion

C Exponential relationship

D Symmetrical relationship (2)

1.5 P and Q represent forces acting at a point. The angle θ between the forces can be changed.

These two forces produce maximum resultant, when they act …

A in the same direction.

B in the opposite direction.
C perpendicular to each other.
D at an angle of 150° to each other. (2)
1.5

QUESTION 2
2.1 Two forces, 40 N in the 􀤈-direction and 30 N in the 􀤈-direction, act on
the same object.
2.1.1 Is force a vector quantity? Yes or No. (2)
Explain the answer.
2.1.2 Draw both forces on the same Cartesian plane.
(Scale: 10 mm: 1 N) (4)
2.2 A worker is pulling a concrete block due east with a force of 80 N while another worker is
pushing the same block due east with a force of 70 N.

2.2.1 Find the resultant of the two forces using a scale diagram.
(Scale: 10 mm: 20 N) (4)
2.2.2 Write down the magnitude and direction of the force that must be applied on the
concrete block to make the resultant force equal to zero. (2)
2.3 Two forces,120 N and 90 N are exerted on a vertical pole that is fixed to the ground using
light inextensible strings.
The forces are at a right angle to each other, and the 120 N force makes an angle of 53,1o with
the horizontal as shown in the diagram below.

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 2.3.1 Define the term resultant vector. (2)
2.3.2 Calculate the magnitude of the resultant of 120 N and 90 N by
using Pythagoras theorem. (5)
The resultant force calculated in QUESTION 2.3.2 above acts at an angle of 36,9o relative to the
120 N force.
2.3.3 Are these forces large enough to pull the pole out of the ground?
Explain. (3)
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QUESTION 3
3.1 A tow truck is pulling a small car by means of a cable as shown in the diagram. The force
exerted by the tow cable of the truck on the car is F = 2 500 N at an angle 40° to the horizontal.

3.1.1 Calculate the vertical component of 2 500 N force (F). (3)

3.1.2 What would happen to each of the following force components when the angle 40° is changed
to 15°?
(Use only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.)
(a) Horizontal component of F (1)

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 (b) Vertical component of F (1)
3.2 The apparatus shown below has been set up to find the mass of object A
which is suspended using a string.
The strings X and Y, which pass over smooth pulleys, are attached to two objects weighing 5 N
and 4 N respectively.
All the strings are attached to point P as shown in the diagram below.

The strings X and Y act at 100o to each other.

3.2.1 State the parallelogram law of forces. (2)
3.2.2 Find the mass of the object A using the parallelogram method. (8)
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QUESTION 4
A crate of mass 60 kg is lying on a rough horizontal surface. The coefficient of friction between
the crate and the surface is 0,4. The crate is pulled by a rope which makes an angle 35 0 with the
horizontal and the tension in the string is T.

The crate moves at a constant speed in a straight line.

4.1 Write down the NAME of the force that always acts parallel to a surface in the opposite
direction to motion, opposing the motion of an object. (2)
4.2 Differentiate between static frictional force and kinetic frictional force. (4)
4.3 Draw a free body diagram of all the forces acting on the crate. (4)
4.4 Write down the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the crate.
Give a reason for your answer. (2)
4.5 Calculate the tension T in the string. (7)
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