AS LEVEL

4 Forces, density and pressure

4.1 Turning effects of forces

Learning outcomes
By the end of this topic, you will be able to: 3 u
 se a vector triangle to represent coplanar
forces in equilibrium
4.1 Turning effects of forces
1 understand that the weight of an object may 4.3 Density and pressure
be taken as acting at a single point known as 1 define and use density
the centre of gravity 2 define and use pressure
2 define and apply the moment of a force 3 derive, from the definitions of pressure and
3 understand that a couple is a pair of forces that density, the equation for hydrostatic pressure
acts to produce rotation only Δp = ρgΔh
4 define and apply the torque of a couple 4 use the equation Δp = ρgΔh
4.2 Equilibrium of forces 5 understand that the upthrust acting on an
object in a fluid is due to a difference in
1 state and apply the principle of moments
hydrostatic pressure
2 understand that, when there is no resultant
6 calculate the upthrust acting on an object in a
force and no resultant torque, a system is in
fluid using the equation
equilibrium
F = ρgV (Archimedes’ principle)

Starting points
★ Understand the concept of weight as the effect of a gravitational field.
★ The use of vector triangles to add vectors.
★ For zero resultant force, the velocity of an object does not change (Newton’s
first law).

4.1 Turning effects of forces

Centre of gravity
An object may be made to balance at a particular point. When it is balanced at this
point, the object does not turn and so all the weight on one side of the pivot is balanced
by the weight on the other side. Supporting the object at the pivot means that the only
force which has to be applied at the pivot is one to stop the object falling – that is, a
force equal to the weight of the object. Although all parts of the object have weight, the
whole weight of the object appears to act at this balance point. This point is called the
centre of gravity (C.G.) of the object.

The centre of gravity of an object is the point at which the whole weight of the
object may be considered to act.

The weight of an object can be shown as a force acting vertically downwards at the
centre of gravity. For a uniform object such as a ruler, the centre of gravity is at the
geometrical centre.

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 Moment of a force
4 When a force acts on an object, the force may cause the object to move in a straight line.
It could also cause the object to turn or spin (rotate).

weight turning
effect
4 Forces, density and pressure

▲ Figure 4.1 Turning effect on a metre ruler

Think about a metre rule held in the hand at one end so that the rule is horizontal
(Figure 4.1). If a weight is hung from the ruler we can feel a turning effect on the ruler.
The turning effect increases if the weight is increased or it is moved further from the
d
hand along the ruler. The turning effect acts at the hand where the metre rule is pivoted.
pivot q Keeping the weight and its distance along the rule constant, the turning effect can be
changed by holding the ruler at an angle to the horizontal. The turning effect becomes
smaller as the rule approaches the vertical position.
l The turning effect of a force is called the moment of the force.

The moment of a force depends on the magnitude of the force and also on the distance of
the force from the pivot or fulcrum. This distance must be defined precisely. In the simple
experiment above, we saw that the moment of the force depended on the angle of the
F ruler to the horizontal. Varying this angle means that the line of action of the force from
▲ Figure 4.2 Finding the the pivot varies (see Figure 4.2). The distance required when finding the moment of a
moment of a force force is the perpendicular distance d of the line of action of the force from the pivot.
The moment of a force is defined as the product of the force and the perpendicular
distance of the line of action of the force from the pivot.

Referring to Figure 4.2, the force has magnitude F and acts at a point distance l from the
pivot. Then, when the ruler is at angle θ to the horizontal,
moment of force = F × d
= F × l cos θ
Since force is measured in newtons and distance is measured in metres, the unit of the
moment of a force is newton-metre (N m).

WORKED EXAMPLE 4A
15 N
In Figure 4.3, a light rod AB of length 45 cm is held at
A so that the rod makes an angle of 65° to the vertical.
B
A vertical force of 15 N acts on the rod at B. Calculate
the moment of the force about the end A.
65° cm
Answer 45
A
moment of force = force × perpendicular distance
from pivot ▲ Figure 4.3

= 15 × 0.45 sin 65°

(Remember that the distance must be in metres.)
= 6.1 N m

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 Question 1 Referring to Figure 4.3, calculate the moment of the force about A for a vertical force
of 25 N with the rod at an angle of 30° to the vertical. 4
Couples
F
When a screwdriver is used, we apply a turning effect to the handle. We do not apply
one force to the handle because this would mean the screwdriver would move sideways.
Rather, we apply two forces of equal size but opposite direction on opposite sides of the
handle (see Figure 4.4).

4.2 Equilibrium of forces

A couple consists of two forces, equal in magnitude but opposite in direction
F handle of whose lines of action do not coincide.
screwdriver
▲ Figure 4.4 Two forces
acting as a couple
Consider the two parallel forces, each of magnitude F acting as shown in Figure 4.5 on
opposite ends of a diameter of a disc of radius r. Each force produces a moment about
F the centre of the disc of magnitude Fr in a clockwise direction. The total moment about
the centre is
r
F × 2r or F × perpendicular distance between the forces
r
Although a turning effect is produced, this turning effect is not called a moment because
F it is produced by two forces, not one. Instead, this turning effect is referred to as a torque.
▲ Figure 4.5 Torque of a The unit of torque is the same as that of the moment of a force, i.e. newton-metre.
couple
The torque of a couple is the product of one of the forces and the perpendicular
distance between the forces.

It is interesting to note that, in engineering, the tightness of nuts and bolts is often stated
as the maximum torque to be used when screwing up the nut on the bolt. Spanners
used for this purpose are called torque wrenches because they have a scale on them to
indicate the torque that is being applied.
▲ Figure 4.6 Tightening a
wheel nut requires the WORKED EXAMPLE 4B
application of a torque.
Calculate the torque produced by two forces, each of magnitude 30 N, acting in
opposite directions with their lines of action separated by a distance of 25 cm.

Answer
torque = force × separation of forces
= 30 × 0.25 (distance in metres)
= 7.5 N m

Question 2 The torque produced by a person using a screwdriver is 0.18 N m. This torque is
applied to the handle of diameter 4.0 cm. Calculate the force applied to the handle.

4.2 Equilibrium of forces

The principle of moments
A metre rule may be balanced on a pivot so that the rule is horizontal. Hanging a weight
on the rule will make the rule rotate about the pivot. Moving the weight to the other
side of the pivot will make the rule rotate in the opposite direction. Hanging weights on
both sides of the pivot as shown in Figure 4.7 (overleaf) means that the ruler may rotate
clockwise, or anticlockwise, or it may remain horizontal. In this horizontal position,
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 there is no resultant turning effect and so the total turning effect of the forces in the
clockwise direction equals the total turning effect in the anticlockwise direction.
4 You can check this very easily with the apparatus of Figure 4.7.
4 Forces, density and pressure

▲ Figure 4.7
When an object has no tendency to change its speed of rotation, it is said to be in
rotational equilibrium.

The principle of moments states that, for an object to be in rotational equilibrium,

the sum of the clockwise moments about any point must equal the sum of the
anticlockwise moments about that same point.

WORKED EXAMPLE 4C
Some weights are hung from a light rod AB as shown in Figure 4.8. The rod is pivoted.
Calculate the magnitude of the force F required to balance the rod horizontally.
35 cm

A B

40 cm 25 cm

1.2 N F
2.5 N
▲ Figure 4.8

Answer
Sum of clockwise moments = (0.25 × 1.2) + 0.35F
Sum of anticlockwise moments = 0.40 × 2.5
By the principle of moments
(0.25 × 1.2) + 0.35F = 0.40 × 2.5
0.35F = 1.0 − 0.3
F = 2.0 N

Question 3 Some weights are hung from 2.0 N

a light rod AB as shown in
Figure 4.9. The rod is pivoted. 35 cm
Calculate the magnitude of the
force F required to balance the A B

rod horizontally.
40 cm 20 cm

F
5.0 N
▲ Figure 4.9
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 Equilibrium
The principle of moments gives the condition necessary for an object to be in rotational
equilibrium. However, the object could still have a resultant force acting on it which 4
would cause it to accelerate linearly. Thus, for complete equilibrium, there cannot be
any resultant force in any direction.
In Topic 1.4 we added forces (vectors) using a vector triangle. When three forces
act on an object the condition for equilibrium is that the vector diagram for these
forces forms a closed triangle. When four or more forces act on an object the same
principles apply.

4.2 Equilibrium of forces

For equilibrium, the closed vector triangle then becomes a closed vector polygon.

For an object to be in equilibrium:

1 the sum of the forces in any direction must be zero
2 the sum of the moments of the forces about any point must be zero.

WORKED EXAMPLE 4D
The uniform rod PQ shown in Figure 4.10 is horizontal and in equilibrium.

X 29 N
60°

P Q

50 N
▲ Figure 4.10
The weight of the rod is 50 N. A force of 29 N that acts at end Q is X
60° to the horizontal. The force at end P is labelled X. Draw a vector
triangle to represent the forces acting on the rod and determine the 50 N
magnitude and direction of force X.

Answer 29 N
30°
The forces keep the rod in equilibrium and hence form a closed
triangle as shown in Figure 4.11.
A scale diagram can be drawn to show that X is 29 N and acts at 60° ▲ Figure 4.11
to the horizontal.

Question
4 The same uniform rod PQ is in equilibrium, as in the above example.
a i Show that the upward forces equal the downward forces.
ii Show that the horizontal force to the left equals the horizontal force to the
right.
b The length of the rod in Figure 4.10 is 100 cm. Determine the force X by taking
moments about Q.

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 4.3 Density and pressure
4 In this section we will bring together density and pressure to show an important link
between them.

Density
The density of a substance is defined as its mass per unit volume.

ρ = m/V
4 Forces, density and pressure

The symbol for density is ρ (Greek rho) and its SI unit is kg m–3.

WORKED EXAMPLE 4E
An iron sphere of radius 0.18 m has mass 190 kg. Calculate the density of iron.

Answer
4
First calculate the volume of the sphere from V = 3 πr 3. This works out at 0.024 m3.
Application of the formula for density gives ρ = 7800 kg m–3.

Questions 5 The mass of a metal cylinder is 200 g. The length of the cylinder is 6.0 cm and its
diameter is 2.0 cm. Calculate the density of the metal in kg m–3.
6 A spherical metal ball has a radius of 2.5 cm. The density of the metal is 2700 kg m–3.
Calculate the mass of the ball in kg.

Pressure
Pressure is defined as force per unit area, where the force F acts perpendicularly to the area A.

p = F/A

The symbol for pressure is p and its SI unit is the pascal (Pa), which is equal to one
newton per square metre (N m–2).

Pressure in a liquid
The link between pressure and density comes when we deal with liquids or with fluids
in general. Consider a point at a depth h1 below the surface of a liquid in a container.
What is the pressure due to the liquid? Very simply, the pressure is caused by the weight
of the column of liquid above a small area at that depth, as shown in Figure 4.12. The
weight of the column is W = mg = ρAh1g, and the pressure ρ1 is W/A = ρgh1. The pressure
at a depth of h2 is due the column of liquid above this depth and is given by p2 = ρ gh2.
h1 p = ρgh
h2
A
The difference in pressure due to the difference in water depth is
Δp (= p2 – p1) = ρg(h2 – h1) = ρgΔh
The pressure in a liquid increases with depth. The change in pressure in a fluid, Δp due
to the change in depth Δh is given by:
▲ Figure 4.12 Column of Δp = ρgΔh
liquid above the area A

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 A fluid that is at rest has all points in the fluid in equilibrium. Hence the pressure
at any point in a fluid must act in all directions at that point. The forces due to the
pressure of a fluid acting on an object immersed in the fluid will act in all directions
on that object.
4
The pressure is proportional to the depth below the surface of the liquid. If an external
pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, acts on the surface of the liquid, this must be
taken into account in calculating the absolute pressure. The absolute pressure is the
sum of the external pressure and the pressure due to the depth below the surface of the
liquid.

4.3 Density and pressure

WORKED EXAMPLE 4F
Calculate the excess pressure over atmospheric at a point 1.2 m below the surface
of the water in a swimming pool. The density of water is 1.0 × 103 kg m –3.

Answer
This is a straightforward calculation from p = ρgh.
Substituting, p = 1.0 × 103 × 9.81 × 1.2 = 1.2 × 104 Pa.
If the total pressure had been required, this value would be added to atmospheric
pressure pA. Taking pA to be 1.01 × 105 Pa, the total pressure is 1.13 × 105 Pa.

Question 7 Calculate the difference in blood pressure between the top of the head and the
soles of the feet of a student 1.3 m tall, standing upright.
Take the density of blood as 1.1 × 103 kg m–3.

Upthrust
When an object is immersed in a fluid (a liquid or a gas), it appears to weigh less than
h1 F down when in a vacuum. Large stones under water are easier to lift than when they are out
of the water. The reason for this is that immersion in the fluid provides an upthrust or
buoyancy force.
A
We can see the reason for the upthrust when we think about an object, such as the
cylinder in Figure 4.13, submerged in water. Remember that the pressure in a liquid
increases with depth. Thus, the pressure at the bottom of the cylinder is greater than the
h2
liquid pressure at the top of the cylinder. The pressure difference Δρ is given by
Δp = ρgh2 – ρgh1
This difference in pressure means that there is a bigger force acting upwards on the base
of the cylinder, than there is acting downwards on the top. The difference in these forces
is the upthrust or buoyancy force Fb. Looking at Figure 4.13, we can see that

F up Fb = Fup – Fdown
and, since
▲ Figure 4.13 Origin of
the buoyancy force p = F/A
(upthrust)
Fb = ρgA(h2 – h1) = ρgAl
= ρgV

where ρ is the density of the liquid, l is the length of the cylinder, A is the cross-sectional
area of the cylinder, and V is its volume and V = Al. Since the column occupies a volume
equal to the volume of the liquid it displaces, the liquid displaced by the column has

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 mass ρV, and weight ρgV. Hence the upthrust is equal to the weight of the liquid
displaced by the immersed object. This relation has been derived for a cylinder, but it
4 will also apply to objects of any shape.
The rule that the upthrust acting on an object immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight
of the fluid displaced is known as Archimedes’ principle.

WORKED EXAMPLE 4G
4 Forces, density and pressure

Calculate: b Force needed in water

a the force needed to lift a metal cylinder when in air
b the force needed to lift the cylinder when immersed
in water.
The density of the metal is 7800 kg m–3 and the density
of water is 1000 kg m–3. The volume of the cylinder is
0.50 m3.
Answers
a Force needed in air = weight of cylinder =
0.50 × 7800 × 9.81 = 3.8 × 104 N
= weight of cylinder − upthrust
= 0.50 × 7800 × 9.81 – 0.50 × 1000 × 9.81
= 3.3 × 104 N
The difference in the values in a and b is the upthrust
on the metal cylinder when immersed in water. i.e. the
weight of water displaced by the cylinder.
[The upthrust of the cylinder in air was neglected as
the density of air is very much less than that of the
metal.]

Questions
8 Explain why a boat made of metal is in equilibrium when stationary and floating
on water.
9 A sphere of radius 4.5 cm is immersed in a liquid of density 800 kg m –3.
Calculate the upthrust on the sphere.

SUMMARY
» The centre of gravity of an object is the point
at which the whole weight of the object may be
considered to act.
» The moment of a force is the product of the force
and the perpendicular distance of the line of action
of the force from the pivot.
» A couple consists of two equal forces acting in
opposite directions whose lines of action do not
coincide.
» The torque of a couple is a measure of the turning
effect of the couple.
» The torque of a couple is the product of one of the
forces and the perpendicular distance between the
lines of action of the forces.
» The principle of moments states that for an object
in rotational equilibrium the sum of the clockwise
moments about a point is equal to the sum of the
anticlockwise moments about the point.
» For an object to be in equilibrium:
– the sum of the forces in any direction must be zero
– the sum of the moments of the forces about any
point must be zero.
» Density ρ is defined by the equation ρ = m/V,
where m is the mass of an object and V is its
volume.
» Pressure ρ is defined by the equation p = F/A,
where F is the force acting perpendicularly to an
area A.
» Pressure increases with depth in a fluid.
The difference in pressure is proportional
to the difference in depth between two points in
the fluid, and the pressure difference is given by
Δp = ρgΔh.
» The total pressure p at a point at a depth h below
the surface of a fluid of density ρ is p = pA + ρgh,
pA being the atmospheric pressure; the difference
in pressure between the surface and a point at a
depth h is ρgh.
» The upthrust F on an object immersed in a fluid
is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced (F = ρgV).

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 END OF TOPIC QUESTIONS

L
1 A uniform beam of length L is supported by two forces X and Y so that it is in 4
equilibrium. The position of the forces is shown in Fig. 4.14.
beam
What is the ratio of the forces X : Y?
2L L A 1 : 2            B 1 : 3        C  1 : 1        D 2 : 1
X 3 Y 3 2 A rectangular block of mass 150 kg has sides of 60 cm, 90 cm and 12 cm (Fig. 4.15).
▲ Figure 4.14 What is the minimum pressure that the block exerts on the ground when it is
resting on one of its sides?

End of topic questions

90 cm A 0.27 kPa         B 0.28 kPa           C 1.4 kPa          D 2.7 kPa
12 cm 3 A metal drum is held 300 m beneath the surface of the sea by a vertical cable
60 cm
as shown in Fig. 4.16. The drum has a volume of 0.500 m3 and weight 800 N.
The density of the sea water is 1030 kg m−3. What is the tension in the cable?
A 0.80 kN      B 4.3 kN      C 5.1 kN      D 5.9 kN
▲ Figure 4.15 4 A uniform rod of length 60 cm has a weight of 14 N. It is pivoted at one end and held
in a horizontal position by a thread tied to its other end, as shown in Fig. 4.17.
water surface The thread makes an angle of 50° with the horizontal. Calculate:
a the moment of the weight of the rod about the pivot,
300 m
b the tension T in the thread required to hold the rod horizontally.

drum

cable T

sea bed 60 cm 50°

pivot
▲ Figure 4.16
▲ Figure 4.17
5 A ruler is pivoted at its centre of gravity and weights are hung from the ruler as
shown in Fig. 4.18. Calculate:
a the total anticlockwise moment about the pivot,
b the magnitude of the force F.

40 cm 45 cm

20 cm 25 cm

6.0 N 2.5 N F 2.0 N

▲ Figure 4.18
6 A uniform plank of weight 120 N rests on two stools as shown in Fig. 4.19. A weight
of 80 N is placed on the plank, midway between the stools. Calculate:
a the force acting on the stool at A,
b the force acting on the stool at B.
4.0 m

A B

0.5 m 1.0 m
80 N
▲ Figure 4.19
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 7 A nut is to be tightened to a torque of 16 N m. Calculate the force which must be
applied to the end of a spanner of length 24 cm in order to produce this torque.
4 8 a State the conditions required for an object to be in equilibrium.
b A uniform rod XY of length 0.80 m is at an angle of 40° to a horizontal surface,
as shown in Fig. 4.20.
C

X
4 Forces, density and pressure

0.80 m

rod

W B

horizontal A 40°
Y

▲ Figure 4.20
Four forces A, B, C and W act on the rod to maintain equilibrium. Force C acts at
right angles to the rod at end X and is 2.0 N. A vertical force B and a horizontal
force A act on the rod at end Y. W is the weight of the rod.
i Show that the weight of the rod is 5.2 N by taking moments about end Y.
ii State the name of the force B and A.
iii Determine the force A.
c The cross-sectional area of the rod is 8.5 × 10 –5 m2. Calculate the density of
the rod.
9 Figs. 4.21a and b show a rod XY of length 0.35 m.
a) b) 4.0 N

30°
4.0 N

X Y X

0.35 m

4.0 N 4.0 N

▲ Figure 4.21

Forces of 4.0 N act at X and Y.

Calculate the torque on rod XY in:
a Fig. 4.21a,
b Fig. 4.21b.

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 10 A solid cylinder has a radius of 2.0 cm and length 45 cm. The weight of the
cylinder is 49 N. The cylinder is completely immersed in oil of density
920 kg m–3. The apparent weight of the cylinder when immersed in the oil is WA . 4
Calculate:
a the density of the cylinder,
b i the upthrust on the cylinder when immersed in the oil,
ii WA ,
c the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the cylinder when
immersed in the oil.

End of topic questions

11 The water in a storage tank is 15 m above a water tap in the kitchen of a house.
Calculate the pressure of the water leaving the tap.
Density of water = 1.0 × 10 3 kg m–3.
12 Show that the pressure p due to a liquid of density ρ is proportional to the depth h
below the surface of the liquid.
13 a Define centre of gravity. [2]
b A uniform rod AB is attached to a vertical wall at A. The rod is held horizontally
by a string attached at B and to point C, as shown in Fig. 4.22.
C

string

T
wall

1.2 m
50°
A B

O
8.5 N mass M

▲ Figure 4.22
The angle between the rod and the string at B is 50°. The rod has length
1.2 m and weight 8.5 N. An object O of mass M is hung from the rod at B.
The tension T in the string is 30 N.
i Use the resolution of forces to calculate the vertical component of T. [1]
ii State the principle of moments. [1]
iii Use the principle of moments and take moments about A to show that the
weight of the object O is 19 N. [3]
iv Hence determine the mass M of the object O. [1]
c Use the concept of equilibrium to explain why a force must act on the rod at A.
 [2]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 22 Q3 May/June 2013

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 14 a Define the torque of a couple. [2]
b A uniform rod of length 1.5 m and weight 2.4 N is shown in Fig. 4.23.
4 1.5 m

rope A 8.0 N
pin

rod
4 Forces, density and pressure

weight 2.4 N
8.0 N rope B

▲ Figure 4.23

The rod is supported on a pin passing through a hole in its centre. Ropes A and B
provide equal and opposite forces of 8.0 N.
i Calculate the torque on the rod produced by ropes A and B. [1]
ii Discuss, briefly, whether the rod is in equilibrium. [2]
c The rod in b is removed from the pin and supported by ropes A and B, as shown
in Fig. 4.24.
1.5 m

rope A rope B

0.30 m

weight 2.4 N
▲ Figure 4.24

Rope A is now at point P 0.30 m from one end of the rod and rope B is at the
other end.
i Calculate the tension in rope B. [2]
ii Calculate the tension in rope A. [1]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 21 Q2 Oct/Nov 2011
15 a Define density. [1]
b A paving slab has a mass of 68 kg and dimensions 50 mm × 600 mm × 900 mm.
i Calculate the density, in kg m–3, of the material from which the paving slab
is made. [2]
ii Calculate the maximum pressure a slab could exert on the ground when
resting on one of its surfaces. [3]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 21 Q1 parts a and c
Oct/Nov 2011

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 16 a State the two conditions for an object to be in equilibrium. [2]
b A uniform beam AC is attached to a vertical wall at end A. The beam held
horizontal by a rigid bar BD, as shown in Fig. 4.25. 4
0.30 m 0.10 m

C
A beam B
W 52°
wire

End of topic questions

33 N

bar bucket
wall

12 N

▲ Figure 4.25
The beam is of length 0.40 m and weight W. An empty bucket of weight 12 N is
suspended by a light metal wire from end C. The bar exerts a force on the beam
of 33 N at 52° to the horizontal. The beam is in equilibrium.
i Calculate the vertical component of the force exerted by the bar on
the beam. [1]
ii By taking moments about A, calculate the weight W of the beam. [3]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 22 Q3 parts a bi and ii
Oct/Nov 2016
17 A uniform plank AB of length 5.0 m and weight 200 N is placed across a stream, as
shown in Fig. 4.26.

FA FB

plank
A B

880 N
200 N
x
5.0 m
stream

▲ Figure 4.26

A man of weight 880 N stands a distance x from end A. The ground exerts a vertical
force FA on the plank at end A and a vertical force FB on the plank at end B. As the
man moves along the plank, the plank is always in equilibrium.

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 a i Explain why the sum of the forces FA and FB is constant no matter
where the man stands on the plank. [2]
4 ii The man stands a distance x = 0.50 m from end A. Use the principle of
moments to calculate the magnitude of FB . [4]
b The variation with distance x of force FA is shown in Fig. 4.27.
1000

force/N
FA
4 Forces, density and pressure

500

0
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
x/m
▲ Figure 4.27

On a copy of Fig. 4.27, sketch a graph to show the variation with x of force FB . [3]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 21 Q3 May/June 2014
18 A cylindrical disc is shown in Fig. 4.28.
28 mm

12 mm

▲ Figure 4.28

The disc has diameter 28 mm and thickness 12 mm. The material of the disc
has density 6.8 × 103 kg m–3. Calculate, to two significant figures, the weight of
the disc.  [4]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics (9702) Paper 23 Q1 Oct/Nov 2013
19 a Define pressure.
b A solid sphere of diameter 30.0 cm is fully immersed near the surface
of the sea. The sphere is released from rest and moves vertically
downwards through the seawater. The weight of the sphere is 1100 N.
An upthrust U acts on the sphere. The upthrust remains constant as the
sphere moves downwards.
The density of the seawater is 1030 kg m–3.
i Calculate the density of the material of the sphere.
ii Briefly explain the origin of the upthrust acting on the sphere.
iii Show that the upthrust U is 140 N.
iv Calculate the initial acceleration of the sphere.
v The viscous (drag) force D acting on the sphere is given by
D = 12 Cρπr 2v2
where r is the radius of the sphere and v is its speed. ρ is the density of
the seawater.
The constant C has no units and is equal to 0.50.
Determine the constant (terminal) speed reached by the sphere.

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