2011 Physics JC1 H1 & H2 Lecture Assignment 3A

10
Name: ……………………………………( ) CG : 11…… Date: …….…..
Topic 3 Forces

1 J02/I/24
The tension in a spring of natural length l0 is first increased from zero to T1, causing the
length to increase to l1. The tension is then reduced to T2, causing the length to
decrease to l2 as shown.

State the area of the graph that represents the work done by the spring during this
reduction in length. [1]

Suggested Solution Comments

Elastic potential energy is equivalent to the area bounded by Easy question
the force-extension graph with the extension (in this case:
length)
With tension T1, elastic potential energy = Area of LMP
With tension T2, elastic potential energy = Area of LNQ

Work done by the spring is the reduction in the elastic potential

energy
= Area of LMP – Area of LNQ
= Area of MNQP

2 The scale of a certain spring balance reads from 0 to 100 N and the scale of the spring is
0.15 m long. Assuming that the spring obeys Hooke’s law, when the balance reads
40 N, determine
(a) the extension [2]
(b) the elastic potential energy stored in the spring [1]

Suggested Solution Comments

When the tension is 100 N, extension is 0.15 m (the full scale). Nil
F1 kx 1

F2 kx 2
40 kx 1
 [1]
100 k  0.15
x1 = 0.060 m [1]

Elastic potential energy = ½ F1x1

= ½ × 40 × 0.060
= 1.2 J [1]

-1- Physics/ATS/2011
3 H1 N07/I/13
The diagram shows a tall water-filled tower used for training divers.

Show that the rate of change of pressure with depth in this tower is 1.0 × 104 Pa m-1. [1]

Suggested Solution Comments

Pressure at any point in water, Nil
P = Po + hg, where Po is the atmospheric pressure

Pressure at any point in water due to water only,

P = hρg
Note: the unit given in the answer is Pa m-1, it means that rate
of change of pressure with depth is
dP
 g  1020  9.81 [M1]
dh
= 1.0 × 104 Pa m-1 [A0]

4 H2 N07/I/4 (modified)
The diagram shows a ball which has been thrown and is being acted on by air
resistance. State
(a) the force(s) acting on the ball and
(b) the labelled arrow which shows the direction of the resultant force on the ball when it
is at the position as shown. [2]

Suggested Solution Comments

motion 30% ignore air resistance while 26%
Fair choose D, ignoring Newton’s first law.

Fn W

At the highest point of the projectile, the direction of the ball's

motion is horizontal. Thus, the air resistance, Fair acting on it is
towards the left. There is also weight, W acting on the ball.
State both air resistance and weight correctly. [1]
Thus resultant force, Fn is the vector addition of the two forces.
Choosing ans B [1]

- 2- Physics/ATS/2011
5 H2 N08/I/7
A ladder of weight W rests against a vertical wall. Friction between the ladder and the
ground and also between the ladder and the wall prevents the ladder from slipping.
(a) State the force(s) acting on the ladder and
(b) hence choose the diagram that shows the direction of the forces on the ladder. [3]

Suggested Solution Comments

The friction between the wall and the ladder prevents slipping, Candidates did not read the question
i.e. friction acts in the opposite direction of the intended motion. carefully where it states that
Normal force always acts perpendicular to contact surface and ‘friction between the ladder and the
towards the object. wall is helping to prevent slipping’.
friction Normal force
by wall Some (23%) simply recalled past year
by wall
question and wrongly chose D as the
answer.

Normal force
by ground

friction by ground

State all five forces correctly [2]

State three or four forces correctly [1]
State two or less forces correctly [0]

Choose C as the correct ans [1]

- 3- Physics/ATS/2011
 2011 Physics JC1 H1 & H2 Lecture Assignment 3B

10
Name: ……………………………………( ) CG : 11…… Date: …….…..
Topic 3 Forces

1 H1 N08/I/9 (modified)
An isolated disc is subjected to three forces, each given in terms of units of magnitude F.
For each case, determine if the disc experiences both a resultant force and a resultant
torque. [2]

ΣF = 0 Στ = 0
A
B
C
D

Suggested Solution Comments

For the determination of resultant torque, the pivot is taken at Nil
the centre of gravity, since this is an isolated disc of radius r.
A: ΣF = 0, Στ ≠ 0
B: ΣF ≠ 0, Στ ≠ 0
C: ΣF = 0, Στ ≠ 0
D: ΣF ≠ 0, Στ = 0

All 8 correct: [2]

5 to 7 correct: [1]
0 to 4 correct: [0]

2 J96/II/1 part (modified)

A sky-diver has a mass of 61 kg. In one of his dive from an aircraft, before the parachute
is opened, the diver reached a terminal speed of 90 m s-1. Calculate the force of air
resistance on the diver when at the terminal speed. [1]

Suggested Solution Comments

When the sky-diver is moving at terminal speed, Fv Well done by most.
he is in equilibrium.
ΣF = 0
Fv + (– W) = 0
Fv = 61 × 9.81
= 598 N W

- 4- Physics/ATS/2011
3 H2 N07/I/8
A lump of ice floats in water as shown.

Which statement is correct?

A The lump of ice floats because the area of its lower surface is larger than the area of
its upper surface.
B The pressure difference between the lower and the upper surfaces of the lump of ice
give rise to an upthrust equal to its weight.
C The ice has a greater density than the water.
D The mass of water displaced by the ice is equal to the upthrust. [1]

Suggested Solution Comments

The upthrust acting on an object is due to the pressure Nil
difference acting on the lower and the upper surfaces. Thus for
the ice to float (in equilibrium), the upthrust must be equal to the
weight of the object. Ans: B

4 A glass stopper is suspended in air by a thread attached to a spring balance which reads
26 g. When the stopper is fully immersed in water of density of 1000 kg m-3, the reading
on the spring balance changes to 16 g.
(a) What force does the reading on the spring balance represent?
(b) Calculate
(i) the upthrust acting on the stopper when it is immersed in water.
(ii) the volume of the stopper
(iii) the density of the stopper [4]

Suggested Solution Comments

The reading on the spring balance represents tension [1]. Nil

Assuming that the upthrust due to air is negligible T

When the stopper is suspended, it is in equilibrium
ΣF = 0
W=T
= 0.026 × 9.81
= 0.255 N W

When it is immersed in water, an additional force,

upthrust acts on it. Hence the tension required from T’ U
the spring balance reduced.
W = T’ + U
0.255 = 0.016 × 9.81 + U
U = 0.098 N [1] W

ρwatergVwater = 0.098 N
Vwater = 1.0 × 10-5 m3
Since the object is totally immersed,
Vstopper = Vwater displaced = 1.0 × 10-5 m3

W = ρstoppergVstopper
0.255 = ρstopper × 9.81 × 1.0 × 10-5
ρstopper = 2600 kg m-3 [1]

- 5- Physics/ATS/2011
5 J88/I/1
A picture weighing 10.0 N hangs freely by a cord XYZ as shown in the diagram below.

Determine the tension in the cord. [2]

Suggested Solution Comments

ΣFy = 0 About 67% of the students got it
T sin 60° + T sin 60° + (– W) = 0 [1] correct.
2 T sin 60° = 10.0
T = 5.78 N [1]

- 6- Physics/ATS/2011
 Innova Junior College
JC1 Physics
Topic 3 Forces (Tutorial)

Hooke’s Law

1 H1 N07/I/12
The extension x of a particular spring is related to the stretching force as shown in the
graph.

When the extension of the spring is e, the elastic potential energy stored in the spring is E.
In terms of E, determine the increase in elastic potential energy when the extension is
increased from e to 2e. [3E]

Suggested Solution Comments

Elastic PE = ½ k x2 Easy question.
For original extension of e, E = ½ k e2 … (1)
For extension of 2e, new EPE, E’= ½ k (2e)2
E’= 4 [½ k (e)2] = 4E

Change in EPE = E’ – E
= 4E – E
= 3E

2 J88/I/30
A force of 10 N acting on a certain spring gives an extension of 40 mm. Two such springs
are connected end to end and this double-length spring is extended by 40 mm. Assuming
that the springs conform to Hooke’s law, determine the total strain energy of the two springs.

Suggested Solution Comments

F = kx Only 22.4% of the candidates got
10 = k × 0.040 this correct.
k = 250 N m-1

Since the double-length spring is made of the 2 similar spring,

each extension is 0.020 m.
Total strain energy = ½ kx2 + ½ kx2
= ½ × 250 × 0.0202 + ½ × 250 × 0.0202
= 0.10 J

-1- Physics/ATS/2009
3 N93/I/21 modified
Some weight-lifter use a ‘chest expander’, consisting of a
strong spring with a handle at each end, to exercise chest and
arm muscles. For one such chest expander, the relation
between the force F applied by the weight-lifter and the
extension x of the spring is shown in the graph. State and
explain which graph best shows how W, the work done,
depends on the extension x.

Suggested Solution Comments

Work done in expanding the spring is represented by the area Nil
under the force-extension graph. As such, as the extension
increases, the area under the graph increases at a increasing
rate. Hence the graph of W against x should be D.

Upthrust

4 H1 N07/II/6 (part)
(d) The figure shows an oil-drum as it floats in equilibrium in seawater.

The drum is 1.20 m long and has a cross-sectional area of 0.19 m2. The length of the drum
submerged under water is 0.80 m. The atmospheric pressure above the surface of the water
is 1.0 × 105 Pa. The density of seawater is 1.1 × 103 kg m-3.
(i) State how the pressure exerted by the water changes with the depth of the seawater.
Suggested Solution Comments
As the depth of water increases, the pressure exerted by the Well done.
water increases.

(ii) On the figure, draw two arrows to show the directions of the forces due to the pressures
on the top of the oil-drum and on the base of the oil drum.
Suggested Solution Comments
Many draw the arrow freehand that
did not clear show the vertical
direction.

-2- Physics/ATS/2011
 (iii) Calculate
1. the resultant of the two forces in (ii)

Suggested Solution Comments

Force at the top = PatmA Few good answers.
Force at the bottom = (Patm + hg)A

Resultant of the two forces

= hgA
= 0.80 × 1.1103 × 9.81 × 0.19
= 1640 N

2. the mass of the oil drum and its contents.

Suggested Solution Comments

Since the system is in equilibrium, ECF
Weight of oil drum and contents = resultant force due to the
pressure
m × 9.81 = 1640
m =167 kg

Turning Effects of Force

5 N94/I/5
A uniform metre rule of weight 2.0 N is pivoted at 60 cm mark. A 4.0 N weight is suspended
from one end, causing the rule to rotate about the pivot.

At the instant when the rule is horizontal, determine the value of the resultant turning
moment about the pivot.

Suggested Solution Comments

Assuming that clockwise moment are positive: 29% probably missed out the word
Taking moment about the pivot rotate and wrongly assumed that the
ΣM = 4.0 × 0.40 + (- 2.0 × 0.10) rule is balanced. This shows the
= 1.4 N m importance of reading the question
carefully.

Translational Equilibrium

6 An object hangs from a spring balance. The balance registers 30 N in air, 20 N when this
object is immersed in water and 24 N when it is immersed in another liquid of unknown
density. Determine the density of the liquid. [600 kg m-3]

-3- Physics/ATS/2011
 Suggested Solution Comments
Nil
T
T’ U T’’ U’

W W W
In air In water In unknown liquid
T=W T’ + U = W T’’ + U’ = W

In air: W = T = 30 N
In water: T’ + U = W
20 + U = 30
U = 10 N
In liquid: T’’ + U’ = W
24 + U’ = 30
U’ = 6.0 N

Since U = ρfgVf
The volume of fluid displaced is the same when the object is
immersed in water and liquid.
water gVwater 10

lquid gVliquid 6.0
1000  gVwater 10

lquid gVliquid 6.0
ρliquid = 600 kg m-3

7 A solid has density of 4000 kg m-3. Calculate the density of a liquid in which the solid would
float with one-fifth of its total volume exposed above the liquid surface. [5000 kg m-3]

Suggested Solution Comments

Let V be the volume of the solid. Nil
Since the solid floats,
weight of solid = Upthrust acting on the solid
objgVobj = fgVf
4000 × g × V = fg × 4/5 V
f = 5000 kg m-3

8 A steel ball bearing of diameter 8.0 mm is timed as it falls through oil at steady speed. Over
a vertical distance of 0.20, it takes 0.56 s. Assuming the density of steel is 7800 kg m-3 and
of oil is 900 kg m-3, calculate
(a) the weight of the ball [0.0205 N]
(b) the upthrust acting on the ball [2.4 × 10-3 N]
(c) the viscosity of the oil,  where the viscous force Fv = 6rv where r is radius and v is
velocity of the ball respectively. [0.69 N s m-2]

-4- Physics/ATS/2011
 Suggested Solution Comments
Weight of the ball, Wb = bVbg Nil

  4.0  10 3   9.81
4 3
 7800 
3
= 0.0205 N

Upthrust of ball, U = fVfg

  4.0  10  3   9.81
4 3
 900 
3
= 2.37 × 10-3 N

Since the steel ball is moving at steady speed, Fv U

i.e. terminal velocity, it is in equilibrium
ΣF = 0: W = U + Fv
0.0205 = 2.37 × 10-3 + Fv
Fv = 1.81 × 10-2 N W

Since Fv = 6rv
1.81 x 10-2 = 6 × 4.0 × 10-3 × (0.20/0.56)
 = 0.69 N s m-2

9 H1 N07/II/6 (part)
(b) The figure shows a set of traffic lights held in equilibrium by two supporting cables A and B.

The total weight of the traffic lights is 350 N. The mass of the cables is negligible. The
tensions in the cables A and B are T1 and T2 respectively.
(i) Sketch a labeled vectored triangle of the forces on the traffic lights.

Suggested Solution Comments

Many did not label the forces with
T2 correct directions or the angles.
50°
Weight of traffic
lights, W

T1 30°

-5- Physics/ATS/2011
 T1
(ii) Determine the ratio .
T2

Suggested Solution Comments

Since the traffic lights is in equilibrium, Fn = 0 Weaker candidates are unable to
resolve the tension forces
ΣFx = 0 horizontally and link them together.
(T2 sin 50°) + (- T1 sin 30°) = 0
T1 sin 30° = T2 sin 50°
T1 sin 50
  1.53
T 2 sin 30

(iii) The weight of the traffic lights is doubled. State and explain the effect, if any, on the ratio
T1
.
T2

Suggested Solution Comments

Since the ratio is only dependent on the angle that the ropes Only the better candidates can give
are attached to the traffic lights and independent of the weight acceptable reason.
of the traffic lights, there is no change on the ratio when the
weight is doubled.

Rotational Equilibrium

10 J01/I/5

A uniform plank of weight 60 N is 2000 mm long and rests on a support that is 600 mm from
end E. Determine the distance from E that a 160 N weight need to be placed in order to
balance the plank. [0.45 m]

Suggested Solution Comments

To balance the plank, it must be in equilibrium (i.e. ΣF = 0 & Στ Nil
= 0)
Force by the pivot
0.40 m

160 N d W

Since the force by the pivot is unknown, it will be better to take

moment about the pivot to remove the turning effect due to that
force.
Let d be the perpendicular distance of 160 N from the pivot.
Στ = 0: 160 N × d = 60 × 0.40
d = 0.15 m
The distance from E is (0.60 – 0.15 =) 0.45 m.

-6- Physics/ATS/2011
11 H2 N08/I/8
A uniform rod has a wooden section and a solid rubber handle as shown.

The length of the handle is l and the length of the wooden section is 4.00l. The rod balances
a distance of 2.10l from the rubber end.
density of rubber
What is the ratio ?
density of wood

Suggested Solution Comments

To balance the handle, it must be in equilibrium (i.e. ΣF = 0 & Demanding question but 53% got it
Στ = 0) correct.
Force by the pivot
0.9 l 1.6 l

Wwood Wrubber
Note that the weight of the wooden and rubber handle acts at
the centre of gravity of the handle respectively.

Since the force by the pivot is unknown, it will be better to take

moment about the pivot to remove the turning effect due to that
force.
Let A be the cross sectional area of the handle.
Using Principle of Moments,
Wwood × 0.9 l = Wrubber × 1.6 l
mwood g × 0.9 l = mrubber g × 1.6 l
4.0 l × A × 9.81 × ρwood × 0.9 l = l × A × 9.81 × ρrubber × 1.6 l
rubber
 2.25
wood

12 H1 N07/II/6 (part)
(c) The figure shows a uniform wheel of mass 18 kg and radius 25 cm pulled by a horizontal
force F against a step of height 8.0 cm.

Determine the magnitude of the force F so that the wheel just begins to turn over the step.

-7- Physics/ATS/2011
 Suggested Solution Comments
Majority did not know how to start.
Those who knew may not use the
correct distances in the calculation
Force by of principles of moments.
the step, S
W

When the wheel just begins to turn, there is no contact force

between the ground and the wheel. Thus there is only 3 forces
acting on the wheel, i.e. the force F, the weight W and the force
by the step, S.

Using principle of moments

Taking moment at the contact between the wheel and the steps
(to remove the moment due to S)
F × 0.42 = 18 × 9.81 × (0.252 –0. 172)1/2
F = 77.1 N

Equilibrium
13 H1 N07/I/11
A ladder rests on rough ground and leans against a rough wall.

Its weight W acts through the centre of gravity G. Forces also acts on the ladder at P and Q.
These forces are P and Q respectively. Which vector triangle represents the forces on the
ladder?

-8- Physics/ATS/2011
 Suggested Solution Comments
Note: Normal force is always acting perpendicular to the point Easy question.
of contact and towards the object.
Friction always acts in the opposite direction to
intended/actual motion.

normal force fw
by wall P
friction
Ng Q by wall
Nw
fg

normal force
by floor weight
friction
by ground

Therefore the answer should be A.

14 H1 N08/II/3 (modified)
(b) The figure shows a uniform metal beam pivoted at one end and held in equilibrium in a
horizontal plane by a cable attached to its other end.

The beam has mass 210 kg and length 8.0 m. The cable makes an angles of 32° to the
beam and has a tension T. A pile of bricks of total mass 150 kg is placed on the beam.
(i) On the figure, draw labeled arrows to show three other forces acting on the beam.

Suggested Solution Comments

Force at the wall was often omitted
by many candidates, as was the
weight of the beam itself.

Force exerted
by pivot

Normal force Weight of beam

by bricks

-9- Physics/ATS/2011
 (ii) Describe and explain what would happen to the tension T in the cable as the pile of
bricks is slowly moved towards the end P of the beam.

Suggested Solution Comments

As the pile of bricks is slowly moved towards end P, the normal Well answered.
force on beam by bricks is shifted slowly away from the pivot O,
the perpendicular distance between the line of action of this
force and pivot increases, thus increasing the clockwise
moment due to normal force by the bricks. Tension T increases
to provide an equivalent anti-clockwise moment to maintain
equilibrium.

(iii) The pile is placed at a distance of 5.3 m from the end P. Calculate the tension T in the
cable.

Suggested Solution Comments

Using principle of moments It was a common mistake to omit the
Taking moment about O (to remove the moment due to pivot) distance in the calculation of
T  8 sin 32   210  9.81  4  150  9.81   8.0  5.3  moment.
T = 2880 N

(iv) Determine the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by the pivot.

Suggested Solution Comments

ΣFx = 0: Rx = Tx = 2880 cos 32°
= 2442 N
ΣFy = 0: RY + TY = W + Nbrick
RY + 2880 sin 32° = 210 × 9.81 + 150 × 9.81
RY = 2005 N
2 2
R  R x  R y  2442 2  2005 2
R = 3160 N
Ry 2005
tan   
Rx 2442
θ = 39.4° (above the horizontal)

- 10 - Physics/ATS/2011