Answers to Exam-style questions

4 Forces – vectors and moments

1 a i A couple is a pair of equal and opposite 3 a No net/resultant force [1]
forces. [1] No net/resultant moment [1]
ii The torque of a force about a point is b i Torque of the couple about the
the product of the force and distance. [1] centre = 30 × 90 = 2700 N cm [1]
The distance is the perpendicular distance ii Moment of force about the centre
of the line of action of the force to the = (T × 24) N cm [1]
point. [1] For equilibrium: 24T = 2700 [1]
b i Rotation shown clockwise [1] T = 113 ≈ 110 N [1]
Force drawn forwards [1]
4 a The torque of a couple is the product of
axle force, F, and distance, d, [1]
force exerted where d is the perpendicular distance
ground by road on wheels between the forces and F is one of the
two equal and opposite forces. [1]
ii Zero [1] b Tension in string B = vertical component
The car moves at constant speed or of A = 8.0 sin 50° [1]
the wheel turns at a constant rate. [1] TB = 6.13 ≈ 6.1 N [1]
torque 200 Tension in string C = horizontal component
iii force = = = 690 N [1]
radius 0.29 of A = 8.0 cos 50° [1]
2 a The centre of gravity of an object is the TC = 5.14 ≈ 5.1 N [1]
point where all the weight of the object [1]
5 a Any two of the following:
may be considered to act. [1]
• No rotation [1]
b i Taking moments about the left-hand
end of the flagpole: • No movement in any direction [1]
sum of clockwise moments = sum of • No net/resultant moment and no
anticlockwise moments net/resultant force [1]
(25 × 9.81) × 1.5 = Tx [1] b Two tension forces in the cord [1]
where x = perpendicular distance of the Closed triangle of forces or parallelogram
line of action of the tension from the of forces including weight [1]
left-hand end of the flagpole, given by:
tension in cord
x = 2.5 sin 30° = 1.25 m [1]
(25 × 9.81) × 1.5 = T × 1.25 [1] weight of
picture
tension in cord
T = 25 × 9.81 × 1.5 = 294 ≈ 290 N [1]
1.25
ii The net vertical force = 0 c i Vertical component = 45 sin 50°
Vertical component of force at fixed = 34.5 ≈ 35 N [1]
end + vertical component of T = weight ii Weight = sum of vertical components
Vertical component of force at fixed = 2 × 34.5 = 69 N [1]
end + 294 sin 30° = 25 × 9.81 [1]
Vertical component of force ≈ 98 N [1]

AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press Chapter 4: Answers to Exam-style questions 1