4 Worksheet (AS) Forces

Data needed to answer questions can be found in the Data, formulae and relationships sheet.
1 Two forces, each of magnitude 8 N, act on an object. The angle between the two forces is 60º.
What is the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the object? [1]
A 4N
B 7N
C 8N
D 14 N 20 N

2 The object in the diagram is in equilibrium.

Which equation is correct about the forces? [1] F θ
A 15 = 20 cos θ
B 20 = F cos θ
C F = 15 sin θ
D F = 15 tan θ 15 N

3 A force of 10 N is resolved into two components at right angles to each other.

One of the components is 8 N. What is the other component? [1]
A 2N
B 4N
C 6N
D 12 N
4 A man of weight 600 N stands at
the end of a uniform wooden
plank, which is pivoted as shown
in the diagram.
What is the weight of the wooden
plank? [1] 0.5 m
A 100 N 3.0 m
B 200 N
C 300 N
D 400 N
5 A uniform square block is pushed along a
rough surface at constant speed by a force of direction of movement
100 N. A horizontal force of friction acts
between the surface and the block.
centre of
What is the moment of the force of friction gravity
about the centre of gravity? [1]
● 1.6 m
A 80 N m clockwise
B 80 N m anticlockwise
C 160 N m clockwise
D 160 N m anticlockwise
 4 Worksheet (AS)

6 Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force in each case below.

a b

[2] [3]
7 In each case below, resolve the vector into two perpendicular components in the x and y directions.
a b

[2] [2]
8 a Define the moment of a force. [1]
b State two conditions that must be met for the equilibrium of an extended object. [2]
9 The diagram shows a uniform beam of
length 1.5 m and weight 60 N resting
horizontally on two supports.

a By taking moments about the support A, determine the force RB at the support B. [3]
b Use your answer to a to calculate the force RA at support A. [1]

10 A child of mass 35 kg on a swing is pulled to one side.

The diagram shows the forces acting on the seat of the
swing when it is in equilibrium.
a What is the net force on the seat? [1]
b Draw a triangle of forces. Hence determine:
i the tension T in the rope [4]
ii the angle θ made by the rope with the vertical. [2]
 4 Worksheet (AS)

11 A gardener pulls a 50 kg roller along level

ground, as shown in the diagram.
The roller moves at a steady speed along
the level ground when the handle makes an
angle of 30° to the horizontal ground and
the gardener pulls with a force of 300 N
along the handle.

a Calculate the horizontal component of the force 300 N. [2]

b What is the net force in the horizontal direction? Hence determine the magnitude of the
resistive force acting on the roller. [2]
c Determine the vertical contact force acting on the roller due to the ground. [3]

12 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. [3]
b Explain why the force at the base of the ladder
was not included when doing the calculation in a. [1]

13 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. [2]
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. [4]

Total: Score: %
45