Edexcel AS Physics

1.2.5 Inertia, Mass and Weight

Inertia, Mass and Weight Questions

Assume g = 9.81ms2.
1) A person standing on a bus is thrown towards the rear of the bus as it starts to
move forwards, and to the front as it slows down. Why?
2) A person standing on the side of a ship drops a coin and sees it splash into the
water 2 s later. How far above the water is the person standing?
3) An astronaut on the Moon has a weight of 128N and a mass of 80kg. What is the
gravitational field strength on the Moon?
4) In 2002 the Canary Wharf tower in London was scaled by French urban climber,
Alain Robert, using no safety devices of any kind. The top of the tower is 235m
above street level. If Robert had dropped an apple as he reached the top of the
tower:
a)

how long would it have taken the apple to fall to street level, assuming
that air resistance is neglected?

b)

assuming that he could shout loudly enough, would it be any use if

Robert had shouted to warn people below? (Speed of sound in air =
340ms1.)

Edexcel AS Physics

1.2.5 Inertia, Mass and Weight

Inertia, Mass and Weight Answers

1)

When the bus accelerates, if the person is to accelerate with it a force must be
applied. For someone seated this comes from the reaction of the seat, but for
someone standing it must come from friction with the floor. This can result in the
person being thrown forward or backward, as they experience the force as if their
feet were being pulled out from under them, while their body remains in its
original position.

2)

19.6 m

3)

1.6 N kg1

4)
a)

6.9 s

b)

Yes. Sound would only take 0.69 s to reach the ground.