1. A public house sign is fixed to a vertical wall as shown in the diagram.

40°

w a ll

w ire

h in g e m e ta l b a r

s ig n

A uniform metal bar 0.75 m long is fixed to the wall by a hinged joint that allows
free movement in the vertical plane only. The wire is fixed to the wall directly
above the hinge and to the free end of the horizontal metal bar. The wire makes
an angle of 40° with the wall.
A single support holds the sign and is mounted at the mid point of the metal bar
so that the weight of the sign acts through that point.

(a) (i) Draw on the diagram three arrows showing the forces acting on the
metal bar, given that the system is in equilibrium. Label the arrows A,
B and C.

(ii) State the origin of the forces.

A ............................................................................................................
...........

B ...........................................................................................................
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C ...........................................................................................................
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(5)

Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton 1

 (b) The combined mass of the metal bar and sign is 12kg and the mass of the
wire is negligible. By taking moments about the hinged end of the bar, or
otherwise, calculate the tension in the wire.

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(4)
(Total 9 marks)

2. (a) State the principle of moments.

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(2)

(b) (i) A uniform plank of length 1.5m and mass 9.0kg is placed horizontally
on two narrow vertical supports as shown. A block, X, of mass 3.0kg
is placed at the end of the plank immediately above the centre of the
right-hand support.

1 .5 m
X

n a r r o w v e r tic a l s u p p o r ts

Calculate the magnitude of the downward force on

the right-hand
support,......................................................................................

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 ...............................................................................................................
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the left-hand
support..........................................................................................

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(4)

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 (ii) The block X is now moved so that its centre of mass is immediately
above a point
1.0 m from the right hand edge of the plank.

1 .0 m
X

n a rro w v e rtic a l s u p p o rts

Calculate the magnitude of the downward force on

the right-hand
support,.....................................................................................

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the left-hand
support.......................................................................................

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...........

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(6)
(Total 8 marks)

3. The diagram shows a uniform bar, AB, which is 1.6 m long and freely pivoted to
a wall at B.
The bar is maintained horizontal and in equilibrium by an angled string which
passes over a pulley and which carries a mass of 2.0 kg at its free end.

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 1 .6 m
30°

A B

2 .0 k g

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 (a) The pulley is positioned as shown in the diagram, with the string at 30° to
the vertical.

(i) Calculate the tension, T, in the string.

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(ii) Show that the mass of the bar is approximately 3.5 kg.

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(4)

(b) A mass, M, is attached to the bar at a point 0.40 m from A. The pulley is
moved horizontally to change the angle made by the string to the vertical,
and to maintain the rod
horizontal and in equilibrium.
Determine the largest value of the mass, M, for which this equilibrium can
be maintained.

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(4)
(Total 8 marks)

4. (a) (i) Define the moment exerted by a force F about a point P. You may
draw a diagram if you wish,

Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton 6

 ...............................................................................................................
............

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(ii) State the unit of moment ..........................................................

(3)

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 (b) The long arm of the car-park barrier shown in the diagram is a tube of
mass 12.0 kg which is free to rotate about a fixed pivot P near one end. A
counterweight is attached firmly to one end of the tube so that the barrier is
in equilibrium with its long arm horizontal. Points C and T on the diagram
show the locations of the centre of mass of the counterweight and tube,
respectively.
c o u n te rw e ig h t tu b e
P
C T

0 .3 0 m 1 .6 0 m

(i) Draw on the diagram the lines of action and directions of all the
forces acting on the tube and counterweight.

(ii) Calculate the weight of the tube.

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(iii) Calculate the mass of the counterweight.

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(5)
(Total 8 marks)

5. (a) The torque of a couple is given by

torque = Fs.

(i) With the aid of a diagram explain what is meant by a couple. Label F
and s on your diagram.

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Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton 9
 ...............................................................................................................
............

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............

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(ii) State the unit for the torque of a couple.

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(4)

(b) The see-saw shown in the diagram consists of a uniform beam freely
pivoted at the centre of the beam. Two children sit opposite each other so
that the see-saw is in equilibrium.

Explain why

(i) the see-saw is in equilibrium,

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(ii) the weight of the beam does not affect equilibrium.

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 ............

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(3)

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 (c) The diagram shows the see-saw with three children of weights 400N, 250N
and 200N sitting so that the see-saw is in equilibrium.

1 .0 m 0 .5 0 m

400 N 200 N 250 N

Calculate the distance, d.

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(2)
(Total 9 marks)

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6. The figure below shows a supermarket trolley.

c e n tre o f g ra v ity n o t d r a w n to s c a le

w e ig h t
P Q

re a r fro n t
w h e e ls w h e e ls

10 cm 40 cm 50 cm

The weight of the trolley and its contents is 160 N.

(a) Explain what is meant by centre of gravity.

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..............

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(2)

(b) P and Q are the resultant forces that the ground exerts on the rear wheels
and front wheels respectively. Calculate the magnitude of

(i) force P,

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 (ii) force Q.

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(3)

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 (c) Calculate the minimum force that needs to be applied vertically at A to lift
the front wheels off the ground.

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(2)

(d) State and explain, without calculation, how the minimum force that needs
to be applied vertically at A to lift the rear wheels off the ground compares
to the force you calculated in part (c).

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your
answer.

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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

7. (a) State the principle of moments.

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....

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....

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(2)

(b) The diagram shows a uniform metre ruler, AB, freely pivoted at its centre of
mass.
A B

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 Explain what is meant by the centre of mass.

.......................................................................................................................
....

.......................................................................................................................
....
(1)

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 (c) A 1.0 N weight is placed on the ruler 0.30 m from the middle of the ruler
towards A.

(i) Explain which way the pivot must be moved in order for equilibrium to
be restored.

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..

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..

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..

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(ii) Calculate the distance the pivot needs to be moved to restore

equilibrium when the weight of the ruler is 0.50 N.

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(5)
(Total 8 marks)

8. (a) Define the moment of a force about a point.

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................

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(2)

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 (b) The diagram shows a trailer attached to the towbar of a stationary car. The
weight of the trailer is 1800 N and is shown acting through its centre of
gravity.
F is the force exerted by the towbar on the trailer. FR is the total normal
reaction force experienced by the trailer. When stationary all forces acting
on the trailer are vertical.

2 .5 m

0 .3 5 m
FR
F

1800 N

(i) Explain what is meant by centre of gravity.

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(ii) Calculate the force, F, exerted by the towbar on the trailer.

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(3)

(iii) Calculate FR.

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 ..............
(2)

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 (c) The car starts to move forwards. State and explain what happens to the
magnitude and direction of force, F.

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your
answer.

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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

9. (a) Define the moment of a force.

.......................................................................................................................
.........…

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.........…
(2)

(b) The diagram shows a uniform diving board of weight, W, that is fixed at A.
The diving board is supported by a cylinder at C, that exerts an upward
force, P, on the board.
P

A
B

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 (i) By considering moments about A, explain why the force P must be
greater than the weight of the board, W.

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 (ii) State and explain what would be the effect on the force P of a girl
walking along the board from A to B.

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(4)
(Total 6 marks)

10. A waiter holds a tray horizontally in one hand between fingers and thumb as
shown in the diagram.
Q

0 .1 0 m

0 .2 5 m
P W

P, Q and W are the three forces acting on the tray.

(a) (i) State two relationships between the forces that must be satisfied if
the tray is to remain horizontal and in equilibrium.

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..

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..

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..

(ii) If the mass of the tray is 0.12 kg, calculate the magnitude of the force
W.

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 ..

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..

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..

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 (iii) Calculate the magnitudes of forces P and Q.

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(6)

(b) The waiter places a glass on the tray. State and explain where the glass
should be positioned on the tray if the force, P, is to have the same value
as in part (a).

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....

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....

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....
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

C
(1 )
B
(1 )

11. (a) (i) A (1 )

n.b. B must make an appreciable angle with wall and bar

(ii) A weight of sign and bar (accept gravity) (1)
B reaction of wall (1)
C tension in wire (1) max 5

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 40°

0 .3 7 5 m

(b) 118N
use of mg (1)
clockwise moments 118 × 0.375 (1)
= anticlockwise moments (Tcos40° (1)) × 0.750 (1)
T = 77 N (1) max 4
[9]

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12. (a) for equilibrium(1)
clockwise moment = counterclockwise moment (1) 2
(b) (i) right hand support
Wp = 88(N) and Wx = 29(N) (1)
F = 44 + 29 = 73 N (1)
left hand support
F = 44N (1)
(ii) right hand support, moments about left hand support
88 × 0.75 + 29 × 0.5 = F × 1.5 gives F = 54 N (1)
left hand support
FL +FR = 118 (N) (1) so FL = 64N (1) 6
[8]

13. (a) (i) T = 2.0 × 9.8 = 19.6N (1)

(ii) moments about B
19.6cos30° × 1.6 (1) = mg × 0.8 (1)
33.9
mass = 9.8 (1) (= 3.46 kg) 4
(b) maximum support when wire vertical (1)
moments about B
2.0 × 9.8 × 1.6 = (M × 9.8 × 1 .2) (1) + 33.9 × 0.8 (1)
\M = 0.36 kg (1)
[n.b. 0.33 kg if 3.5 used] 4
[8]

14. (a) (i) a force multiplied by a distance

perpendicular distance from line of action of the force to the point P
(1)
(stated or from diagram)
(ii) N m (1) 3
(b) (i) force up at pivot (1)
two downward forces at correct points (1)

C T

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 (ii) weight of tube ( = mg) = 12.0 × 9.81 = 118 N (1)
(iii) moments about pivot equated (1)
118 × 1.6 = W × 0.3 gives W = 629 (N) (1) (allow e.c.f. for
weight in (ii))
629
mass = 9.81 = 64.1 kg (1) (allow e c f for W) 5
[8]

15. (a) (i)

F
two forces opposing (1)
s forces parallel (1)
s correct (1)
F
(ii) N m (1) 4
(b) (i) anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments (1)
(ii) weight of beam acts at centre (1)
this is through the pivot (1) 3
(c) (equating moments gives) 400 × 1.0 = 200 × 0.50 + 250 × d (1)
\400 – 100 = 250 × d and d = 1.2 m (1) 2
[9]

16.(a) the point (in a body) (1)

where the weight (or gravity) of the object appears to act
[or resultant torque zero] (1) 2
(b) (i) P × 0.90  160 × 0.50 (1)
P  89 N (88.9 N)
(ii) Q  (160 − 89)  71 N (1)
(allow C.E. for value of P from (i)) 3
(c) (minimum) force × 0.10  160 × 0.40 (1)
force  640 N (1) 2
(d) force is less (1)
because distance to pivot is larger (1)
smaller force gives large enough moment (1) 3
[10]

17. (a) sum of clockwise moments equals sum of anticlockwise moments (1)
for a body in equilibrium (1) 2
(b) point in the body through which the weight/mass (appears to) acts
[or point where resultant torque/moment is zero]
[or point where body would balance] (1) 1
(c) (i) towards A (1)
so that weight of ruler (1)
provides balancing moment (1)

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Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton 29
 (ii) (moments about pivot give) 1.0 × (0.30 – d) = 0.50 × d (1)
1.5 d = 0.30 and d = 0.20 m (1) 5
[8]

18. (a) (moment) force × perpendicular (1) distance (from the point) (1) 2
(b) (i) the point in a body where the resultant torque is zero
[or where the (resultant) force of gravity acts or where the weight
acts through] (1)
(ii) F × 2.5 = 1800 × 0.35 (1)
F = 250 N (1) (252 N)
(iii) FR = (1800 - 252) (1)
= 1500 N (1) (1548) N
[ use of F = 250 N gives FR = 1550 N or 1600 N)
(allow C.E. for incorrect value of F from (ii)) 5
(c) force must have a horizontal component (1)
F (therefore) increases in magnitude (1)
and act at an angle (to the vertical) towards the car (1) 3
QWC 1
[10]

19. (a) product of the force and the perpendicular distance (1)
reference to a point/pivot (1) 2
(b) (i) since W is at a greater distance from A (1)
then W must be less than P if moments are to be equal (1)
(ii) P must increase (1)
since moment of girl’s weight increases as she moves from A to B (1)
correct statement about how P changes
(e.g. P minimum at A, maximum at B, or P increases in a
linear fashion) (1) max 4
[6]

20. (a) (i) resultant force acting on tray is zero [or P + W = Q] (1)
resultant torque is zero
[or correct moments equation
or anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments] (1)
(ii) W= 0.12 × 9.81 = 1.2N (1) (1.18N)
(iii) (taking moments about P gives)
Q × 0.1 = 0.12 × 9.81 × 0.25 (1)
Q = 2.9 N (2.94 N) (1)
P = 2.9 – 1.2 = 1.7 N (1) (or 2.94 – 1.18 = 1.76 N)
(allow C.E. for values of W and Q) 6
(b) placed at Q (1)
no additional turning moment about Q (1) 2
[8]

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Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton 31