Section Check In – Mechanics: Forces

Questions

Take g = 9.8 unless instructed otherwise

1. A brick rests on rough horizontal ground. A child pushes the brick with a horizontal
force but it does not move.

Draw a diagram showing all the forces acting on the brick.

2. A brick rests on rough horizontal ground. A child stands on the brick.

Draw a diagram showing all the forces acting on the brick.

3.* A particle of mass 2 kg is at rest on a smooth inclined plane which makes an angle of
20 with the horizontal. It is held in equilibrium by a horizontal force P. Find P.

4. The following three forces act on a particle. Each force is measured in Newtons.
 3   1  2 
     
 3   1  2 

Find the magnitude of the resultant force.

5. With the aid of a force diagram, explain why you feel heavier when standing in a lift
which is accelerating upwards.

Version 1 1 © OCR 2019

6.* The diagram shows three forces of magnitude 33 N, 19 N and 12 N acting on a particle
of mass 0.1 kg.

33 N 19 N

0.1 kg

12 N

(i) Explain why, regardless of their directions, these forces cannot be in equilibrium.

(ii) What is the minimum possible acceleration of the particle, and what can you
deduce about the directions of the three forces when the acceleration has this
value.

7. A mass of 2 kg rests on a rough horizontal table. It is connected to a mass of 0.5 kg by

a light inextensible string. The string passes over a smooth pulley at the edge of the
table so that the mass of 0.5 kg hangs freely.

The system is in equilibrium. Find the force of friction on the 2 kg mass.

8.* A book of mass 1.5 kg rests on a rough slope inclined at an angle of 24° to the
horizontal. The book is about to start slipping down the slope. Find the coefficient of
friction between the book and the slope.

Version 1 2 © OCR 2019

9.* Three people are trying to move a box of mass 60 kg across a rough horizontal floor.
The view from the top is shown below.

(i) The resultant of the three forces is in the direction of the 100 N force. Calculate
angle θ.
(ii) The box is above to start sliding on the floor. Find the coefficient of friction
between the box and the floor.

10.* Points P and Q are on a horizontal ceiling. A is a particle of mass 5 kg. B is a particle
of mass m kg. A is connected to P, B is connected to Q and A is connected to B.
Each of the three connections is made by a light inextensible string.

Find:
 the tensions in the three strings,
 m.

Version 1 3 © OCR 2019

Extension

Several pulley systems are shown below. Each supports a weight W. All pulleys are
smooth and light and the rope is light and inextensible; any connecting rods are also light
and inextensible. For each pulley system, calculate the tension in the rope.

(a) (b) (c)

Investigate other pulley systems. Can you invent systems where the tension has different
values to those you calculated above?

Version 1 4 © OCR 2019

Worked solutions
1.

2.

Resolving along plane: Pcos20 = 2 gsin20

 
3. R
 P = 2 × 9.8× tan20 = 7.13 N

P 2 kg

20
2g

 3  1  2   2 
     
4.  3   1   2   0 
Magnitude 2N.

Version 1 5 © OCR 2019

5.

lift
you R
a

When accelerating upwards, R  W must be positive, so R >W , so the normal

reaction with the floor of the lift is greater than the weight, and you feel heavier.

6. (i) The forces form the sides of a vector triangle when in equilibrium. But 33 > 19 +12
, so this is not possible.
(ii) The smallest acceleration is when the 19 N and 12 N force are in the opposite
direction to the 33 N force, producing a net force of 2 N, and an acceleration of 20
m s–2.

7. Consider forces on the 0.5 kg mass.

T  0.5 g

Consider horizontal forces on the 2 kg mass

F  T  0.5 g  4.9 N

8.
R
F

1.5
kg

24
1.5g

Resolving parallel to slope: 1.5 g cos 24  1.5 g sin 24

Resolving perpendicular to slope: R  1.5 g sin 24
About to start slipping so F   R
  tan 24  0.445

Version 1 6 © OCR 2019

9. (i) Resolving perpendicular to the 100 N force: 120sin 20  110sin 
12sin 20
sin  
11
  21.9

F  100  120 cos 20  110 cos 

(ii) Resolving parallel to the 100 N force:  314.8
R  mg
 60  9.8
F   R as on point of slipping
  0.535

10.

Resolving horizontally for A:

T1 sin 60  T2 cos10
T1 sin 60
T2 
cos10

Resolving vertically for A:

5 g  T2 sin10  T1 cos 60
5 g  T1 sin 60 tan10  T1 cos 60
T1  141 N (3 s.f.)
T2  124 N (3 s.f.)
Resolving horizontally for B: 3
T sin 60  T2 cos10
T3 sin 60
T2 
cos10

T3  T1  141 N (3 s.f.)
Resolving vertically for B:
mg  T2 sin10  T3 cos 60
m5

Version 1 7 © OCR 2019

 Extension

The pulleys are smooth so the tension in the rope is the same all the way along.

2T  W
W
T
(a) 2

3T  W
W
T
(b) 3

4T  W
W
T
(c) 4

We’d like to know your view on the resources we produce. By clicking on ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ you can help us to ensure that our resources
work for you. When the email template pops up please add additional comments if you wish and then just click ‘Send’. Thank you.
Whether you already offer OCR qualifications, are new to OCR, or are considering switching from your current provider/awarding
organisation, you can request more information by completing the Expression of Interest form which can be found here:
www.ocr.org.uk/expression-of-interest
Looking for a resource? There is now a quick and easy search tool to help find free resources for your qualification:
www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/find-resources/

OCR Resources: the small print

OCR’s resources are provided to support the delivery of OCR qualifications, but in no way constitute an endorsed teaching method that is required by the Board, and the
decision to use them lies with the individual teacher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, OCR cannot be held responsible for any errors or
omissions within these resources.
© OCR 2019 - This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this
work.
OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: n/a
Please get in touch if you want to discuss the accessibility of resources we offer to support delivery of our qualifications: resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk

Version 1 8 © OCR 2019