Cambridge International AS Level Physics

Answers to self-assessment questions

Answers to SAQs
Chapter 3

b (1.0kg), so weight = 10N

c (60kg), so weight = 600N
d (0.025kg), so weight = 0.25N
e (40000kg), so weight = 400000N

1 Force, F = ma = 8002.0 = 1600N

F = 200000 = 40ms2
2 Acceleration, a = m
5000
F = 200 = 2.0ms2
3 Acceleration, a = m
(60 + 40)
Bike has zero initial velocity, so final velocity
v=at = 2.05.0 = 10ms1

10

The greater the mass of the car, the greater

the force needed to slow it down with a
given deceleration. For large cars, it is less
demanding on the driver if the engine
supplies some of the force needed to brake
the car.

11

Due to inertia, the driver continues to move

forward, although the car stops. A seat belt
provides the force needed to overcome this
inertia.

12

The large one; its weight is greater, so it

reaches a greater speed before air resistance
is sufficient to equal its weight.

4 Apples vary in mass; the acceleration due to

gravity varies from place to place.
5 a
Pressure = AF , F = ma, so pressure has base
2

units kgms
= kgm1s2
2
m

b Energy = force distance so energy has base

units kgm2s2
mass , so density has base units
c Density = volume
3
kgm
6 a
Base units of pressure= kgm1s2
Base units of gh=(kgm3)(ms2)(m)
= kgm1s2
Since the base units are the same, the
equation is homogeneous.
b Base unit of speed time=(ms1)(s) = m
Base unit of at2=(ms2)(s2)= m
Since both terms have base unit m, the
base unit of distance, the equation is
homogeneous.
7 Sides are 27.5cm and 21.8cm (note: your
coursebook may have a slightly different
trimmed page size)
Area= 27.521.8
=599.5600cm2 to 3 sig. figs
= 0.0600m2 to 3 sig. figs

13

a Lubricate the skis to reduce friction.
b Wear tight-fitting, smooth clothing to reduce
air resistance.
c Develop powerful muscles to provide a large
forward force.
d The steeper the slope the better, to maximise
the effect of gravity.

14

a The lighter one: lower terminal velocity.
b Turn head-first and pull in his arms and legs
to produce a streamlined shape and reduce
air resistance.

15

a Upthrust
b Friction
c Weight (= force of gravity)
d Contact force (normal reaction)
e Tension
f Drag

8 a
6108A
b 5108W
c 20 = 2101m
9 Estimated masses are shown in brackets.
Note that g has been rounded appropriately
to 10ms2 in these estimates.
a (1.0kg), so weight = mg = 1.010 = 10N

16

drag or air
resistance

contact force

weight

driving force between

tyres and road

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014

Cambridge International AS Level Physics

17

Answers to self-assessment questions

air resistance

weight
air resistance

a Going up
18

weight

b Going down

a Force up on your foot and down on the foot
that you tread on. Both forces are contact
forces (normal reactions).
b Force backwards on the car and forwards
on the wall. Both forces are contact forces
(normal reactions).
c Backwards force on car and forwards force
on ground. Both forces are frictional forces.
d Upwards force on ball and downwards force
on your hand. Both forces are contact forces
(normal reactions).

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014