IGCSE
Cambridge (CIE)
Science
3 hours
27 questions
Theory Questions
Effects of Forces
Resultant Forces / Newton's First Law / Newton's Second Law / Investigating Force
& Extension / Hooke's Law / Friction / Moments / Equilibrium / Centre of Gravity /
Investigating Centre of Gravity
Easy (10 questions)
/56
Medium (8 questions)
/54
Hard (9 questions)
/72
Total Marks
/182
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1
Easy Questions
1 (a) Extended Tier Only
Fig.3.1 shows the load-extension graphs for two springs, A and B.
Determine the extension of spring A for a load of 10N.
extension = .................................................. mm
(1 mark)
(b) Extended tier only
State which spring is easier to stretch and give a reason for your answer.
(2 marks)
(c) Extended Tier Only
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2
A different spring is suspended from the edge of a bench, as shown in Fig.3.2.
With no load on the spring, the pin points to 19.7 cm on the metre rule, as shown in Fig.
3.2.
When a load of 6.0N is attached to the spring, the pin points to 43.9 cm, as shown in Fig.
3.3.
(i) Calculate the extension of this spring for a load of 6.0 N.
extension = .................................................... cm [1]
(ii) Describe how a student could use the equipment in Fig. 3.2 to obtain accurate
readings for a load-extension graph for this spring.
[2]
(3 marks)
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2 (a) Extended Tier Only
A model aircraft is flying through air. Fig. 3.1 shows the forces acting on the model
aircraft. The weight of the model aircraft is 15.0 N.
(i) Determine the size and direction of the resultant horizontal force acting on the model
aircraft.
size of resultant horizontal force = ......................................... N
direction of resultant horizontal force = ...................................
[1]
(ii) Describe the change in the motion of the model aircraft.
[2]
(3 marks)
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(b) The horizontal forces acting on the model aircraft become balanced.
Suggest how the horizontal forces acting on the model aircraft have changed.
(1 mark)
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3 (a) State Newton's first law of motion.
(1 mark)
(b) Extended tier only
Newton's second law describes the change in motion caused by a resultant force.
State the equation which links acceleration, resultant force and mass.
(1 mark)
(c) Extended Tier Only
State what happens to the motion of a moving object when a resultant force is applied to
it in the opposite direction to the motion.
(1 mark)
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4 (a) A truck of mass 8.0 kg is rolling down a slight incline as shown in Fig. 1.1.
Fig. 1.1
The truck travels at a constant speed.
Explain why the truck does not accelerate, even though it is on an incline.
(2 marks)
(b) The slope of the incline is increased. As a result of this, the truck now accelerates.
Explain why the truck now accelerates.
(2 marks)
(c) Extended tier only
The truck’s acceleration is 2.0 m/s2.
Calculate the resultant force on the truck.
resultant force = ....................................
(2 marks)
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(d) The acceleration of the truck can be increased by reducing the force of friction.
Suggest a way of reducing the friction in this investigation.
(1 mark)
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5 (a) Fig. 1.1 shows a man pulling a child on a sledge.
The mass of the child and the sledge is 42 kg.
The unbalanced force acting on the sledge is 46 N.
State the magnitude of the force that needs to be exerted by the man to make the sledge
move.
(1 mark)
(b) Name the force that is opposing the motion of the sledge.
(1 mark)
(c) Extended tier only
The sledge is then placed at the top of a hill and accelerates down the hill at 0.75 m/s2 .
Calculate the resultant force acting on the sledge.
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(3 marks)
(d) Assuming that the force opposing the motion of the sledge is the same, calculate the
total force acting down the hill.
You may draw a diagram in your answer.
(2 marks)
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6 (a) A man uses a metal bar to remove an iron nail from a piece of wood, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
(i) The man applies a force of 150 N at a distance of 0.50 m from the pivot.
Calculate the moment of this force about the pivot. Include a unit.
moment = ........................................................... [4]
(ii) The force applied by the man produces a turning effect (moment) about the pivot.
Describe another example of using the turning effect of a force. [1]
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(5 marks)
(b) The man tries to use the metal bar to remove another nail from the piece of wood. He
applies the same force of 150 N at a distance of 0.50 m from the pivot.
The turning effect produced is not enough to remove this nail from the piece of wood.
Describe how the man can increase the turning effect without increasing the force.
(1 mark)
7 A lamp is attached to a wall, as shown in Fig. 4.1.
Calculate the moment of the lamp about the pivot. Give the unit.
moment = ..........................................................
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(4 marks)
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8 (a) Fig. 4.1 shows a metal triangle suspended from a thread.
Complete the sentence. Choose the correct word or phrase from the box.
The metal triangle will come to rest with its centre of gravity directly .................................
the point of suspension.
(1 mark)
(b) A student finds the centre of gravity of a shape made of thin card. Fig. 4.2 shows the
equipment.
Describe how the student finds the centre of gravity of the card. Choose from these
sentences.
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A. A line is drawn on the card showing the position of the string.
B. A pin held in a clamp is put through the hole in the card.
C. The centre of gravity is where the lines cross on the card.
D. The process is repeated using holes near the other two edges.
Complete the flow chart. Write the letter for the correct sentence in each box.
(3 marks)
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9 (a) Fig. 4.1 shows a truck lifting a heavy load.
(i) The truck is stationary. Identify the quantities that determine the work done as it lifts
the load.
Tick the box next to each correct quantity.
□ distance
□ force
□ time
[1]
(ii) Draw a ring around the unit for work done from the list.
joule newton pascal watt
[1]
(2 marks)
(b) Identify the quantities that determine the power of the truck.
Tick the box next to each correct quantity.
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□ energy transferred
□ temperature
□ time
(1 mark)
(c) Extended Tier Only
The truck has a pivot near the front wheel. Fig. 4.2 represents the pivot and the vertical
forces acting on the truck.
The truck is in equilibrium.
Calculate the load.
load = ..................................................... N
(3 marks)
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(d) Fig. 4.3 shows another truck lifting a pile of identical bricks.
(i) On Fig. 4.3, draw a cross to indicate the centre of gravity of the pile of bricks.
[1]
(ii) The truck can tilt the pile of bricks backwards, as shown in Fig. 4.4.
Explain how tilting the pile of bricks backwards makes the truck more stable.
[1]
(2 marks)
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10 (a) Define the term moment.
(1 mark)
(b) Extended Tier Only
A uniform seesaw is in equilibrium with a box placed on each side.
The box on the left has an anticlockwise moment of 150 N m about the pivot.
The box on the right has weight W.
Fig. 1.1
State the clockwise moment due to the box on the right.
(1 mark)
(c) Calculate the weight W of the box on the right side of the seesaw.
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(3 marks)
(d) Extended Tier Only
The box on the left hand side of the seesaw is now removed. Explain the subsequent
motion of the seesaw.
(2 marks)
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Medium Questions
1 (a) Extended Tier Only
A student stretches a spring by adding different loads to it. She measures the length of
the spring for each load. She plots a graph of the results.
Fig. 2.1 shows the graph of her results.
Use the graph to determine:
(i) the length of the spring without a load
length = .................................................. cm [1]
(ii) the length of the spring with a load of 4.0 N
length = .................................................. cm [1]
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(iii) the extension due to a 4.0 N load.
extension = .................................................. cm [1]
(3 marks)
(b) Extended Tier Only
Complete the sentence about effects of forces. Choose words from the box.
colour friction pressure shape size speed
Stretching a spring with a load is an example of how a force can change the
.................................... and the .................................... of an object.
(2 marks)
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2 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the vertical forces on a rocket.
Calculate the resultant force on the rocket.
resultant force = ........................................................... N
direction = ...........................................................
(3 marks)
(b) Fig. 3.2 shows the speed and direction of motion of an object at a point in time.
The resultant force on the object is zero for 10 seconds.
Deduce the speed and direction of motion after 5 seconds. Indicate the speed and
direction of the object by drawing a labelled arrow next to the object in Fig. 3.3.
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(1 mark)
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3 (a) Extended Tier Only
Fig. 3.1 shows a spring with no load attached. Fig. 3.2 shows the same spring with a load
attached.
Describe how a student can determine the extension of the spring. You may draw on Fig.
3.1 and Fig. 3.2 as part of your answer.
(3 marks)
(b) Extended Tier Only
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The student plots a graph of load against extension, as shown in Fig. 3.3.
(i) Determine the extension produced by a load of 7.5 N.
extension = ...................................................... cm [1]
(ii) Determine the load that would produce an extension of 10.0 cm.
load = ...................................................... N [1]
(2 marks)
(c) Calculate the mass that has a weight of 6.0 N.
mass = ...................................................... kg
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(3 marks)
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4 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the horizontal forces acting on a swimmer.
(i) Calculate the size and direction of the resultant horizontal force on the swimmer.
size of resultant horizontal force = ..................................... N
direction of resultant horizontal force = ..............................
[1]
(ii) State the name of the 110 N force on the swimmer.
[1]
(iii) Fig. 3.2 shows the horizontal forces acting on the swimmer as he moves forwards a
short time later.
Describe and explain the motion of the swimmer.
[2]
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(4 marks)
(b) Another swimmer weighs 700N. He stands on a diving board, as shown in Fig. 3.3.
Calculate the moment of the swimmer’s weight about point P.
moment = ...................................................... N m
(3 marks)
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5 (a) A 50 cm rule is balanced at its mid-point. A force of 8.0 N acts at a distance of 10 cm from
one end of the rule.
Fig. 2.1 shows the arrangement.
Calculate the moment of the 8.0 N force about the pivot. Give the unit.
moment = ............................
unit = ............................
(5 marks)
(b) Extended Tier Only
Another force acts at a point 10 cm from the pivot. It makes the rule balance.
On Fig. 2.1, draw an arrow to show the position and direction of this force.
(2 marks)
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6 (a) Complete the statement by writing in the blank spaces.
The moment of a force about a pivot is equal to ............ multiplied by ............
(1 mark)
(b) Extended Tier Only
Fig. 3.1 shows a horizontal rod of length 2.4 m and weight 160 N. The weight of the rod
acts at its centre. The rod is suspended by two vertical ropes X and Y. The tension in each
rope is 80 N.
(i) State the name given to the point at which the weight of the rod acts.
[1]
(ii) Calculate the mass of the rod.
mass = ......................................................... [1]
(iii) The rod is in equilibrium.
Using data from Fig. 3.1, explain why.
[4]
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(6 marks)
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7 (a) Fig. 2.1 shows a man pushing down on a lever to lift one end of a heavy log.
State the term used to describe the turning force exerted by the man.
(1 mark)
(b) Extended Tier Only
(i) Fig. 2.2 shows the forces acting as the man starts to lift the heavy log.
Calculate the force F, exerted by the lever on the heavy log.
force = ..................................................... N [3]
(ii) Describe how the man can use a smaller force to lift the heavy log.
[1]
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(4 marks)
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8 (a) During a routine check of security camera footage at a zoo, it is discovered that a toucan
and a grass snake have been escaping from their enclosures and performing
experiments on a uniform 2 m long seesaw to study the principle of moments.
Fig. 1.1
Mass of a toucan = 600 g
Mass of a grass snake = 250 g
Calculate the weight of each animal in newtons. You may assume the acceleration of free
fall is 10 m/s2.
(4 marks)
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(b) Extended Tier Only
For the system in Fig. 1.1, calculate the clockwise and anticlockwise moments separately.
clockwise moment = .................................................. N m
anticlockwise moment = .................................................. N m
(5 marks)
(c) State whether the system is in equilibrium or not. Explain your reasoning.
(2 marks)
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Hard Questions
1 (a) A student is using some 50 g masses.
Calculate the weight of one 50 g mass.
weight of 50 g mass = ...................................................... N
(3 marks)
(b) Extended Tier Only
The student uses the 50g masses as loads to stretch a spring.
Fig. 2.1 shows the apparatus the student uses to obtain readings for a load-extension
graph.
Describe how the student could use the apparatus and ensure that the readings are
accurate.
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(4 marks)
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2 (a) The mass of a small steel ball is 120 g. The volume of the ball is 16.0 cm3.
(i) Calculate the density of the steel ball.
density = ............................................... g / cm3 [3]
(ii) The ball falls to the ground from rest. At a time of 0.2 s after it started to fall, its
acceleration is 10 m / s2.
State the acceleration of the ball at a time of 0.1 s after it started to fall.
[1]
(4 marks)
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(b) Fig. 3.1 shows the vertical forces that act on a large plastic ball as it is falling.
(i) State the name given to each of the forces shown in Fig. 3.1.
[1]
(ii) Calculate the size of the resultant force on the ball.
resultant force = ...................................................... N [1]
(2 marks)
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3 (a) A load is attached to a spring, as shown in Fig. 3.1. Two arrows indicate the vertical forces
acting on the load. The spring and the load are stationary.
(i) State the name of the force acting vertically downwards.
[1]
(ii) The vertical force that acts upwards is 4.0 N.
State the value of the force acting vertically downwards.
force = ..................................................... N [1]
(2 marks)
(b) The load is pulled downwards and then released. The load moves up and down.
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Fig. 3.2 represents the vertical forces acting on the load at some time after it is released.
Calculate the resultant force on the load and state its direction.
resultant force = ..................................................... N
direction = ............................................................
(2 marks)
(c) (i) State the principle of conservation of energy.
[1]
(ii) Eventually the load stops moving up and down.
Describe and explain why the load stops moving. Use your ideas about conservation of
energy.
[2]
(3 marks)
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4 (a) Extended Tier Only
A resultant force acts on an object at rest.
State the direction of the acceleration.
(1 mark)
(b) Extended tier only
A man with a mass of 70 kg steps into an elevator.
(i) State the value of the force exerted on the man by the elevator.
force = .................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the force required to accelerate the man at 1.6 m/s2.
force = .................................... [1]
(iii) Explain why these values are different.
[2]
(4 marks)
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5 (a) A tower crane has a load W, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
The counterweight has a weight of 80 000 N. This acts at a distance of 5.0 m from the
pivot, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
Calculate the moment of the counterweight about the pivot. Give the unit.
moment = ...........................................................
(3 marks)
(b) Extended Tier Only
The tower crane in Fig. 3.1 balances horizontally when holding the load W.
Calculate the weight of load W.
weight = ....................................................... N
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(3 marks)
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6 (a) Fig. 4.1 shows a tractor fitted with a device for breaking up soil in a field.
(i) The tractor has a heavy weight at the front. Explain why the heavy weight is needed.
[1]
(ii) Fig. 4.2 represents the weight of the device and its distance from the pivot.
Calculate the moment of the weight of the device about the pivot. State the unit.
moment = ...................................................... [4]
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(5 marks)
(b) Fig. 4.3 shows a tractor fitted with narrow tyres and the same tractor fitted with wide
tyres.
Explain why wide tyres are more suitable for the tractor on soft soil.
(3 marks)
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7 (a) In a double-decker bus there are two passenger compartments, one above the other.
Fig. 3.1 shows a double-decker bus on a tilted platform.
The platform is used to test the stability of the bus.
The angle the bus makes with the horizontal is gradually increased until the bus begins
to topple to the left.
Explain why the bus begins to topple.
(1 mark)
(b) There are 30 passengers in the upper compartment of the bus and 2 passengers in the
bottom compartment of the bus.
State how this affects the stability of the bus and the reason for this.
(2 marks)
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(c) Extended tier only
A bus is travelling along a straight road. The bus and the driver have a combined mass of
16000 kg when there are no passengers in it. The bus has 73 passengers. The average
mass of each of the passengers is 65 kg.
(i) Calculate the total mass of the bus, the driver and the 73 passengers.
mass = ......................................................... [2]
(ii) The fully loaded bus accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 14 m / s. The time
taken to reach a speed of 14 m / s is 20 s.
Calculate the resultant force on the bus during the acceleration.
force = ......................................................... [2]
(4 marks)
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8 (a) A university student is constructing some flat-pack furniture.
An Allen key has a hexagonal end and is used to tighten hexagonal bolts. An Allen key
can be used with its longer end in the hexagonal bolt, or can be rotated to place the
shorter end in the hexagonal bolt. This is shown in Fig. 1.1.
Fig. 1.1
State which orientation, A or B, will allow the bolt to be tightened more easily.
Explain why, referring to moments in your answer.
(3 marks)
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(b) The dimensions of the Allen key are shown in Fig. 1.2.
Fig. 1.2
The student building the furniture applies a force of 150 N to the Allen key.
(i) Calculate the moment when the Allen key is in orientation A.
moment in orientation A = ...................................... N m [4]
(ii)Calculate the moment when the Allen key is in orientation B.
moment in orientation B = ...................................... N m [3]
(7 marks)
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(c) Extended Tier Only
The student constructs the furniture but realises they need to lift it up to place a rug
underneath.
The furniture has a weight of 800 N and is too heavy for the student to lift.
Remembering a lecture about the principle of moments, they use a pivot and a plank of
wood to lift it. As shown in Fig. 1.3, the furniture exerts a perpendicular force FA on the
plank, which is equal to 30% of the weight of the furniture.
Fig. 1.3
Calculate the minimum force FB the student must exert to lift the furniture.
(6 marks)
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9 (a) Fig. 2.1 shows a sign that extends over a road.
The mass of the sign is 3.4 × 103 kg.
Calculate the weight W of the sign.
W = ...........................
(2 marks)
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(b) Extended Tier Only
The weight of the sign acts at a horizontal distance of 1.8 m from the centre of the
support post and it produces a turning effect about point P.
Point P is a horizontal distance of 1.3 m from the centre of the support post.
(i) Calculate the moment about P due to the weight of the sign.
moment = ..................................................... [3]
(ii) A concrete block is positioned on the other side of the support post with its centre of
mass a horizontal distance of 70 cm from the centre of the support post.
1. State what is meant by centre of gravity.
[1]
2. The weight of the concrete block produces a moment about point P that exactly
cancels the moment caused by the weight W.
Calculate the weight of the concrete block.
[2]
(6 marks)
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(c) Extended Tier Only
The concrete block is removed. The sign and support post rotate about point P in a
clockwise direction.
State and explain what happens to the moment about point P due to the weight of the
sign as it rotates.
(2 marks)
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