5 Worksheet

acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s2

Intermediate level
1

Define the moment of a force.

[1]

State two conditions that must be met for the equilibrium of an extended object.

[2]

The diagram shows the downward forces applied on a plastic ruler.

Deduce whether or not the ruler is in equilibrium.

[3]

A person of weight 820 N stands on one leg. The area of the foot in contact with the floor is
1.4 102 m2.
a Calculate the pressure exerted by the foot on the ground.
b Explain what would happen to the pressure exerted on the floor if the person stands on
tiptoe on one leg.

[2]
[1]

Define the torque of a couple, and give one example of a couple.

[2]

The diagram shows a uniform beam of

length 1.5 m and weight 60 N resting
horizontally on two supports.

a By taking moments about the support A, determine the force RB at the support B.
b Use your answer to a to calculate the force RA at support A.

[3]
[1]

Higher level
7

A ladder of mass 32 kg rests at an angle against a

smooth wall as shown in the diagram.
The centre of gravity of the ladder is at its mid-point.
a Determine the force R exerted by the wall on
the ladder by taking moments about the base
of the ladder.
b Explain why the force at the base of the ladder
was not included when doing the calculation in a.

COAS Physics 1 Teacher Resources

[3]
[1]

Original material Cambridge University Press 2005, 2008

5 Worksheet

8 A 62 kg person lies flat on a uniform plank of mass 15 kg. The plank, with the person lying on it,
is placed on a brick and some bathroom scales, as shown in the diagram below.

The persons toe-to-head distance is 1.56 m. The length of the plank is also 1.56 m.
a Sketch the diagram above. On your sketch, show all the forces acting on the plank.
b The reading on the bathroom scales is 30 kg. Use this information to determine how far
the centre of gravity of the person is from the toes.
9 A flagpole of mass 25 kg is held in a
horizontal position by a cable as shown
in the diagram.
The centre of gravity of the flagpole is at
a distance of 1.5 m from the fixed end.
Determine:
a the tension T in the cable
b the vertical component of the force at
the fixed end of the pole.

[2]
[4]

[4]
[2]

Extension
10 The diagram shows a wheel of mass 20 kg
and radius 80 cm pulled by a horizontal
force F against a step of height 20 cm.
Determine the magnitude of the initial
force F so that the wheel just turns over
the step.

[4]

11 A metal rod of length 90 cm has a disc of

radius 24 cm fixed rigidly at its centre, as
shown in the diagram. The assembly is
pivoted at its centre.
Two forces, each of magnitude 30 N, are
applied normal to the rod at each end so
as to produce a turning effect on the rod.
A rope is attached to the edge of the disc to
prevent rotation. Calculate the minimum
tension T in the rope.
[4]
Total:

COAS Physics 1 Teacher Resources

39

Score:

Original material Cambridge University Press 2005, 2008