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100% found this document useful (2 votes)

518 views119 pages

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Mazen Yasser

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2 Mechanics

2.1 Motion
Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………………………….

Motion worksheet
For this worksheet use g = 9.81 ms–2.
1 A ball rolls down a 445 m slope from rest. If it accelerates at a rate of 3.16 ms–2, determine the time it takes to
reach the bottom of the slope and the ball’s final velocity.
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2 How far does a car travel in 45 seconds if it has an acceleration of 0.32 ms–2? Assume that it starts from rest.
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3 A toy car starts from rest and accelerates at a uniform rate of 4.0 ms–2 for 3.0 seconds. It then maintains a
uniform speed for 12.0 seconds. Finally it takes 6.0 seconds to decelerate uniformly to rest. Find the total
distance travelled and the average speed of the entire trip.
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1
1
2.1 Motion

4 A car travels 25.0 km of a 50.0 km trip at an average speed of 40.0 kmh–1. It travels the second half of its
journey at an average speed of 80.0 kmh–1. A truck makes the same trip but spends half of its time at an
average speed of 40.0 kmh–1 and the other half of its time at an average speed of 80.0 kmh–1. Which vehicle
got there in the shortest period of time? Show your work.
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5 A speeding car is travelling at a constant speed of 44 ms–1 when it passes a stationary police car. The police
car immediately accelerates uniformly from rest at a rate of 2.2 ms–2. If the car does not slow down and the
police officer maintains the rate of acceleration, how long will it take the police car to catch the speeding car?
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6 Two balls are 8.0 metres apart and moving directly towards each other. If the first ball is moving at a speed of
2.5 ms–1 with respect to the ground and the second ball 3.5 ms–1 with respect to the ground, where will they
collide?
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7 A helicopter is ascending at a constant speed of 12 ms–1 and drops a package from a height of 64 m. How long
will it take the package to reach the ground? Assume there is no air resistance.
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2
2
2.1 Motion

8 Use this graph to determine the following:

a the acceleration during the first 8 seconds.

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b the displacement of the whole trip.
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c the average velocity of the whole trip.
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9 A football is kicked from the ground with an initial speed of 16 ms–1 at an angle of 24° to the horizon.
At what two times will the ball have a height of 1.0 m? Assume the kick happens at t = 0 s.
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10 A rock is thrown from the top of a 36 m high cliff with an initial speed of 12 ms–1 at an angle of 52° to
the horizon. How long will it take the rock to reach the bottom of the cliff?
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3
3
2 Mechanics

2.2 Forces
Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………………………….

Forces worksheet
1 A stationary 16 kg mass moves a distance of 84 metres in 14 seconds when a horizontal force is applied. If the
level surface is frictionless, determine the applied force.
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2 A 15 kg box is pushed with a constant horizontal force of 85 N along a level surface. If the box moves with a
uniform velocity of 6.0 ms–1, how much net force is required to accelerate it uniformly to 12 ms–1 in 2.0 s?
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3 The following system is in equilibrium. What is the mass of the object?

1
4
2.2 Forces

5 A mass of 6.3 kg is held on an inclined plane that has an angle of 2.4o with the horizontal. If the coefficient of
static friction is 0.032, will the mass slide down the plane when released?

2
5
2 Mechanics

2.3 Work, energy, and power

Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………………………….

Energy transformations
Ignore air resistance and friction for the following problems.
1 A 3.00 kg rock is dropped from the top of a 12.0 m high cliff. Using the conservation of energy, find the
following.
a The gravitational potential energy at the top of the cliff.
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b The gravitational potential energy after it has fallen 4.00 m.
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c The kinetic energy after it has fallen 4.00 m.
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d The gravitational potential energy after it has fallen 6.00 m.
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e The kinetic energy after it has fallen 6.00 m.
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f The gravitational potential energy just as it hits the ground.
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g The kinetic energy just as it hits the ground.
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2 What do you notice about the sum of the kinetic and gravitational potential energies at heights of 12.0 m,
8.00 m, and 6.00 m in question 1?
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1
6
2.3 Work, energy, and power

3 Assuming that all of the elastic potential energy gets transferred to kinetic energy, what speed will a 0.57 kg
ball leave a spring that is compressed 0.13 m? The spring constant is 25 Nm–1.
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4 How much work is done against gravity in lifting a 72 kg mass to 0.65 m?
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5 A 0.88 kg ball is moving at 4.2 ms–1 across a level, frictionless surface when it encounters an incline.
How high above the ground will the ball travel?
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6 A 2.6 kg toy car is rolling down a frictionless incline that makes an angle of 23° with the horizontal.
The initial speed of the car is 4.3 ms–1. What will be the speed of the car 26 m down the incline?
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2
7
2 Mechanics

2.3 Work, energy, and power

Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………………………….

Work, power, and efficiency

1 A 65 kg boy runs up a flight of stairs totalling 3.4 m in height. If he does this in 12 seconds, determine his work
against gravity and his total power.
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2 Use the graph below to determine the amount of work done during the 4.0 m on a 12 kg object that is starting
from rest on a horizontal surface. What is its velocity at that point in time?

1
8
2 Mechanics

2.4 Momentum and impulse

Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………………………….

Momentum and impulse questions

1 An 1800 kg car accelerates from rest at 3.6 ms–2 for 11 seconds. What impulse did it gain?
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2 A 0.006 kg bullet travelling at 360 ms–1 embeds itself in a stationary 5.2 kg block of wood. What is the
combined velocity of the bullet-wood combination after the collision?
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3 A 4.0 kg object moving at 6.0 ms–1 catches a 3.0 kg object moving at 1.0 ms–1 in the same direction. After the
collision the 4.0 kg object has slowed down to 4.0 ms–1. What is the velocity of the 3.0 kg object just after the
collision?
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4 A 57 kg object at rest reacts chemically and breaks into two parts. A 34 kg piece moves at 1.2 ms–1 to the left.
What is the size and velocity of the other piece?
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5 A 60.0 kg boy standing on a 5.0 kg skateboard is holding two identical rocks each of mass 3.0 kg. He throws
them both in front of himself at the same time with a velocity of 4.0 ms–1 with respect to the skateboard.
Determine the final velocity of the boy if friction is ignored.
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1
9
Constant acceleration
1. A body travelling at 5ms-1 accelerates at 20ms-2 for 100m. What will its final velocity be?

v−u
a=
t
u +v
s= t
 2 
s = ut + 1 2 at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as

2. A body travelling at 2ms-1 accelerates to 8ms-1 in 2s. Find its displacement.

3. A body is thrown downwards with a velocity of l0ms-1. Assuming the acceleration due to gravity
-2
is 10ms calculate its displacement after 2s?

4. A boy standing on the edge of a cliff throws a stone upwards with a velocity of 5ms-1. If the cliff is
50m high how much time does it take for the stone to hit the bottom of the cliff?

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

10
Distance, Displacement and Speed

1. A person walks up a hill as shown in the diagram.

a) How many meters does the person walk?

2. A person swims across a river as shown in the diagram.

a) How many seconds does the swimmer take to cross the

river?

b) How far downstream will the swimmer be swept in the time

taken to cross the river?

c) What is the final displacement of the swimmer?

3. The distance from Flekke to Dale is 6km on the line shown on

the map. The direction is 20° East of North.

a) How far to the North of Flekke is Dale?

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1
11
Energy and Power
1. A 2kg ball rolls down the slope shown. Calculate the loss of PE.

2. A 2kg ball is pushed onto a spring of spring constant 100N/cm as shown. (It’s a very strong
finger by the way)
(a) Calculate elastic PE stored in the spring

(b) Calculate the maximum height reached by the ball

3. A machine is used to lift a 50kg mass 4m vertically in 10s.

(a) Calculate the increase in PE

(b) Calculate the power of the machine.

Formulae
KE = ½mv2
PE=mgh
EPE=½kx2
P=E/t

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

12
Forces
1. A Helium balloon is held stationary with a string as shown. Draw and name all the forces
acting on the balloon.

2. A box rests on a slope as shown in the diagram. Draw and label the
forces acting on the box.

3. Two perpendicular ropes are use to pull a load along the ground as shown in the diagram.
Calculate the resultant force.

4. A Force acts at a 30° angle to the horizontal as shown.

Calculate the Horizontal component of the force.

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

13
Graphs of Motion
1. A car travelling at 10m/s accelerates at a constant rate for 20s until its velocity is 40m/s.

v (m/s)

50
40
30
20
10

t (s)
10s 20s

a. Using the axis above draw v-t graph for this motion.
b. Use the graph to calculate the distance traveled

c. Use the graph to calculate the acceleration.

2. The motion of a car travelling a long a straight road can be split into 3 stages:
(i) 30s of constant acceleration from rest.
(ii) 60s of constant velocity
(iii) 10s of braking to stop
Draw displacement – time, velocity – time and acceleration – time graphs for this motion

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

14
Newton’s 1st
1. State Newton’s 1st law.

2. A freefall parachutist falls with constant velocity.

(a) Label the Forces acting on the parachutist in the diagram.

(b) What can you deduce about the size of these forces?

3. A plastic football is held underneath the water in a swimming pool and released. The mass of
the ball is 500g and the upthrust it experiences is 40N.
(a) Draw the forces on the ball in the diagram.
(b) What is the resultant force?

4. Calculate the momentum of a 1200kg car travelling at 20ms-1.

Formulae
P=mv

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

15
Newton’s 3rd
1. State Newton’s 3rd law of motion.

2. When a car accelerates the friction of the tyres push the ground backwards. Use Newton’s
3rd law to deduce what happens to the car.

3. Two balls collide as shown in the diagram. Use the principle of conservation of momentum
to calculate the velocity of the big ball.

4. Calculate the impulse of the big ball in the previous question.

Formulae
p=mv
Impulse = ∆mv

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

16
Newton’s 2nd
1. State Newton’s 2nd law of motion.

2. A man is standing in a lift that is accelerating upwards at a rate of

2ms-2.
(a) Draw the forces acting on the man

(b) If the mass of the man is 60kg calculate the Normal Force acting
on his feet.

3. Forces act on the 50kg mass as shown

(a) Calculate the acceleration of the mass.

(b) If the original momentum is zero calculate the momentum of the box after 2s.

Formulae
F=ma

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

17
Projectiles
1. A ball is projected as shown in the diagram.
Formulae
1
! = #$ + ($ )
2

* ) = #) + 2(!
*−#
(=
$

(# + *)
!= $
(a) Draw a line showing the possible path of the ball. 2
(b) Calculate the vertical component of the balls velocity.

(c) Using your answer to (b) calculate the time of flight.

(d) Calculate the horizontal velocity of the ball.

(e) Using your answer to (c) and (d) calculate the balls range.

2. The ball above is projected with the same angle and velocity from a 10m high sea cliff.
Calculate the time taken for the ball to hit the sea.

© Chris Hamper, InThinking

www.physics-inthinking.co.uk 1

18
19
QUESTIONS

Questions
1 (IB) 3 (IB)
Christina stands close to the edge of a vertical cliff A marble is projected horizontally from the edge
and throws a stone at 15 m s–1 at an angle of 45° of a wall 1.8 m high with an initial speed V.
to the horizontal. Air resistance is negligible.
A series of flash photographs are taken of the
P marble and combined as shown below. The
images of the marble are superimposed on a
grid that shows the horizontal distance x and
15 m s−1 vertical distance y travelled by the marble.
O The time interval between each image of the
Q
marble is 0.10 s.

x/m
0 0.50 1.0 1.5 2.0
0
25 m

−0.50

sea
−1.0
y/m

Point P on the diagram is the highest point

reached by the stone and point Q is at the same −1.50
height above sea level as point O. Christina’s
hand is at a height of 25 m above sea level.
a) At point P on a copy of the diagram above −2.0
draw arrows to represent:
(i) the acceleration of the stone (label
this A) Use data from the photograph to calculate a
value of the acceleration of free fall. (3 marks)
(ii) the velocity of the stone (label this V).
b) Determine the speed with which the
stone hits the sea. (8 marks) 4 (IB)
A cyclist and his bicycle travel at a constant
2 (IB) velocity along a horizontal road.
Antonia stands at the edge of a vertical cliff and a) (i) State the value of the resultant force
throws a stone vertically upwards. acting on the cyclist.
The stone leaves Antonia’s hand with a speed (ii) Copy the diagram and draw labelled
v = 8.0 m s–1. The time between the stone arrows to represent the vertical forces
leaving Antonia’s hand and hitting the sea is acting on the bicycle.
3.0 s. Assume air resistance is negligible.
a) Calculate:
(i) the maximum height reached by the
stone
(ii) the time taken by the stone to reach its
maximum height.
b) Determine the height of the cliff. (6 marks)

20
2 ME C H ANICS

(iii) Explain why the cyclist and bicycle are 1.4

travelling at constant velocity.
1.2
b) The total mass of the cyclist and bicycle is 1
70 kg and the total resistive force acting on 0.8

P/kW
them is 40 N. The initial speed of the cycle 0.6
is 8.0 m s–1. The cyclist stops pedalling and 0.4
the bicycle comes to rest. 0.2
(i) Calculate the magnitude of the initial 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
acceleration of the bicycle and rider. v/m s-1
(ii) Estimate the distance taken by the
bicycle to come to rest from the time the For a steady speed of 2.0 m s–1:
cyclist stops pedalling. a) use the graph to determine the power of the
(iii) State and explain one reason why your boat’s engine
answer to b)(ii) is an estimate. b) calculate the frictional (resistive) force acting
(13 marks) on the boat. (3 marks)

5 A car of mass 1000 kg accelerates on a straight 8 (IB)

flat horizontal road with an acceleration
The graph shows the variation with time t of the
a = 0.30 m s–2. The driving force T on the
speed v of a ball of mass 0.50 kg that has been
car is opposed by a resistive force of 500 N.
released from rest above the Earth’s surface.
Calculate T. (3 marks)
25

6 A crane hook is in equilibirium under the 20

action of three forces as shown in the diagram.
v/m s-1

15
3.8 kN 10

5
T2 60° 30°
T1 0
0 2 4 6 8 10
t/s
The force of air resistance is not negligible.
a) State, without any calculations, how the
graph could be used to determine the
distance fallen.
Calculate T1 and T2. (4 marks) b) (i) Copy the diagram and draw and label
arrows to represent the forces on the
ball at 2.0 s.
7 (IB)
A small boat is powered by an outboard motor ball at t = 2.0s
of variable power P. The graph below shows
the variation with speed v of the power P for a
particular load.
Earth’s surface

(ii) Use the graph to show that the

acceleration of the ball at 2.0 s is
approximately 4 m s–2.

21
QUESTIONS

(iii) Calculate the magnitude of the force of

5.0 m s−1
air resistance on the ball at 2.0 s.
(iv) State and explain whether the air A B
resistance on the ball at t = 5.0 s is
smaller than, equal to, or greater than
immediately before collision
the air resistance at t = 2.0 s.
c) After 10 s the ball has fallen 190 m. v
(i) Show that the sum of the potential
B
and kinetic energies of the ball has A
decreased by about 800 J. (14 marks)
immediately after collision

9 (IB) The mass of truck A is 800 kg and the mass of

A bus is travelling at a constant speed of truck B is 1200 kg.
6.2 m s–1 along a section of road that is inclined a) (i) Calculate v.
at an angle of 6.0° to the horizontal. (ii) Calculate the total kinetic energy lost
6.2m s−1
during the collision.
b) Suggest where the lost kinetic energy has
gone. (6 marks)
6.0°
11 (IB)
a) (i) Draw a labelled sketch to represent the
forces acting on the bus. Large metal bars are driven into the ground
using a heavy falling object.
(ii) State the value of net force acting on
the bus.
object mass = 2.0 × 103 kg
b) The total output power of the engine of
the bus is 70 kW and the efficiency of the
engine is 35%.
Calculate the input power to the engine.
c) The mass of the bus is 8.5 × 103 kg.
bar mass = 400 kg
Determine the rate of increase of
gravitational potential energy of the bus.
d) Using your answer to c (and the data in b),
estimate the magnitude of the resistive
forces acting on the bus. (12 marks)
The falling object has a mass 2000 kg and the
metal bar has a mass of 400 kg.
10 (IB)
The object strikes the bar at a speed of 6.0 m s–1.
Railway truck A moves along a horizontal track It comes to rest on the bar without bouncing.
and collides with a stationary truck B. The As a result of the collision, the bar is driven into
two join together in the collision. Immediately the ground to a depth of 0.75 m.
before the collision, truck A has a speed of
5.0 m s–1. Immediately after collision, the speed a) Determine the speed of the bar immediately
of the trucks is v. after the object strikes it.
b) Determine the average frictional force
exerted by the ground on the bar. (7 marks)

22
2 ME C H ANICS

12 (IB)
An engine for a spacecraft uses solar power crane
cable
to ionize and then accelerate atoms of xenon.
After acceleration, the ions are ejected from the
spaceship with a speed of 3.0 × 104 m s–1. 5.8 m

xenon ions = 3.0 × 104 m s−1

speed wall
spaceship mass = 5.4 × 102 kg

–
The mass of one ion of xenon is 2.2 × 10 25 kg
metal ball
a) The original mass of the fuel is 81 kg.
Determine how long the fuel will last if
the engine ejects 77 × 1018 xenon ions
every second. To knock a wall down, the metal ball of mass
b) The mass of the spaceship is 5.4 × 102 kg. 350 kg is pulled away from the wall and then
Determine the initial acceleration of the released. The crane does not move. The graph
spaceship. below shows the variation with time t of the
The graph below shows the variation with speed v of the ball after release.
time t of the acceleration a of the spaceship. The ball makes contact with the wall when the
The solar propulsion engine is switched on at cable from the crane is vertical.
time t = 0 when the speed of the spaceship is
a) For the ball just before it hits the wall use
1.2 × 103 m s–1.
the graph, to estimate the tension in the
cable. The acceleration of free fall is 9.8 m s–2.
10.0
b) Determine the distance moved by the ball
after coming into contact with the wall.
9.5
c) Calculate the total change in momentum of
a/10−5m s−2

the ball during the collision of the ball with

9.0 the wall. (7 marks)

8.5 3.0

8.0
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
t/×107 s
2.0
v/m s−1

c) Explain why the acceleration of the

spaceship increases with time.
d) Using data from the graph, calculate the
1.0
speed of the spaceship at the time when the
xenon fuel has all been used. (15 marks)

13 (IB) 0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
A large metal ball is hung from a crane by t/s
means of a cable of length 5.8 m as shown
below.

23
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

1. A ball initially at rest, takes time t to fall through a vertical distance h. If air
resistance is ignored, the time taken for the ball to fall from rest through a
vertical distance 9h is
A. 3t.
B. 5t.
C. 9t.
D. 10t. (1)

2. The graph at the top of the diagram below shows the path of a projectile in the
absence of air resistance. Which one of the following diagrams best represents
the path of the projectile under the same initial conditions when the air
resistance is taken into account? (The path in absence of air resistance is shown
for comparison as a dotted line.)

(1)

3. A raindrop falling through air reaches a terminal velocity before hitting the
ground. At terminal velocity, the frictional force on the raindrop is
A. zero.
B. less than the weight of the raindrop.
C. greater than the weight of the raindrop.
D. equal to the weight of the raindrop. (1)

4. Which one of the following objects is in equilibrium?

A. A stone trapped in the tread of a rotating tyre.
B. An air molecule as a sound wave passes through the air.
C. A steel ball falling at constant speed through oil.
D. An electron moving through a metal under the action of a potential
difference. (1)

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 1
24
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

5. A friction force f is acting on a block of weight w sliding down an incline at a

constant speed. The force N is the normal reaction of the incline of the block.
Which of the following free-body diagrams best represents the forces acting on
the block?

(1)

6. The diagram below shows the variation with displacement x of the force F
acting on an object in the direction of the displacement.

Which area represents the work done by the force when the displacement
changes from x1 to x2?
A. QRS
B. WPRT
C. WPQV
D. VQRT (1)

7. A machine lifts an object of weight 1.5 x 103 N to a height of 10 m. The machine

has an overall efficiency of 20%. The work done by the machine in raising the
object is
A. 3.0 x 103 J
B. 1.2 x 104 J
C. 1.8 x 104 J
D. 7.5 x 104 J (1)

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 2
25
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

8. An electric train develops a power of 1.0 MW when travelling at a constant

speed of 50 ms-1. The net resistive force acting on the train is
A. 50 MN.
B. 200 kN.
C. 20 kN.
D. 200 N. (1)

9. A rocket is fired vertically. At its highest point, it explodes. Which one of the
following describes what happens to its total momentum and total kinetic
energy as a result of the explosion?
Total momentum Total kinetic energy
A. unchanged increased
B. unchanged unchanged
C. increased increased
D. increased unchanged
(1)

10. A constant force is applied to a ball of mass m. The velocity of the ball changes
from ν1 to ν2. The impulse received by the ball is
A. m(ν1 + ν2).
B. m(ν1 - ν2).
C. m(ν12 + ν22).
D. m(ν12 - ν22). (1)

Turn over for data analysis questions

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 3
26
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

1. This question is about projectile motion.

A marble is projected horizontally from the edge of a wall 1.8 m high with an
initial speed V.

A series of flash photographs are taken of the marble. The photographs are
combined into a single photograph as shown below. The images of the marble
are superimposed on a grid that shows the horizontal distance x and vertical
distance y travelled by the marble.

The time interval between each image of the marble is 0.10 s.

a) On the image of the marble at x = 0.5 m and x = 1.0 m, draw arrows to

represent the horizontal velocity VH and vertical velocity VV. (2)

b) On the photograph, draw a suitable line to determine the horizontal distance

d from the base of the wall to the point where the marble hits the ground.
Explain your reasoning.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (3)

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 4
27
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

c) Use data from the photograph to calculate a value of the acceleration of free
fall.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (3)
(Total 8 marks)

2. This question is about an experiment designed to investigate Newton’s second

law.
In order to investigate Newton’s second law, David arranged for a heavy trolley
to be accelerated by small weights, as shown below. The acceleration of the
trolley was recorded electronically. David recorded the acceleration for
different weights up to a maximum of 3.0 N. He plotted a graph of his results.

a) Describe the graph that would be expected if two quantities are

proportional to one another.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2)

b) David’s data are shown on the next page, with uncertainty limits included
for the value of the weights. Draw the best-fit line for these data. (2)

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 5
28
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

c) Use the graph to

(i) explain what is meant by a systematic error.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2)
(ii) estimate the value of the frictional force that is acting on the trolley.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (1)
(Total 7 marks)

3. This question is about forces on a wheelbarrow.

Rachid is using a wheelbarrow to move some blocks. When a lifting force is
applied at the handle, its support legs are lifted off the ground. The dimensions
of the wheelbarrow are shown in the diagram below.

When loaded, the total weight of the wheelbarrow and the blocks is 600 N. The
ground is horizontal.

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 6
29
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

a) Determine
(i) the minimum vertical force needed to lift the support legs off the
ground.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (3)

(ii) the magnitude and the direction of the force exerted by the ground
on the wheel.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2)
Rachid now pushes the wheelbarrow forward at constant speed. He applies a
force of 260 N to the handles at an angle of 50° to the vertical.

b) (i) Calculate the horizontal component of the force exerted by Rachid.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2)
(Total 9 marks)
© Oxford University Press 2015
www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 7
30
IB Physics
Assessment paper: 2 Mechanics

4. This question is about the collision between two railway trucks (carts).
a) Define linear momentum.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (1)
In the diagram below, railway truck A is moving along a horizontal track. It
collides with a stationary truck B and on collision, the two join together.
Immediately before the collision, truck A is moving with speed 5.0 ms–1;
immediately after collision, the speed of the trucks is v.

The mass of truck A is 800 kg and the mass of truck B is 1200 kg.

b) (i) Calculate the speed ν immediately after the collision.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2)
(Total 6 marks)

© Oxford University Press 2015

www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements 8
31
80 A ball of mass m moving vertically, hits a 82 Two masses of 2.0 kg and 4.0 kg are held in place,
horizontal floor normally with speed v1 and compressing a spring between them. When they
rebounds with speed v2. The ball was in contact are released, the 2.0 kg moves away with a speed
with the floor for a time t. of 3.0 m s−1. What was the energy stored in the
a Show that the average force F on the ball spring?
from the floor during the collision is given by: 83 A rocket in space where gravity is negligible has
m(v1 + v2 ) a mass (including fuel) of 5000 kg. It is desired
F= + mg
t
to give the rocket an average acceleration of
b Find an expression for the average net force
15.0 m s−2 during the first second of firing the
on the ball.
engine. The gases leave the rocket at a speed of
81 The diagram shows the variation with time of
1500 m s−1 (relative to the rocket). Estimate how
the force exerted on a ball as the ball came into
much fuel must be burnt in that second.
contact with a spring.
F /N 120

100

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
t /s

a For how long was the spring in contact with

the ball?
b Estimate the magnitude of the change in
momentum of the ball.
c What was the average force that was exerted
on the ball?

Exam-style questions

1 Four cars race along a given race track starting at the same time. The car that will reach the finishing line first is the
one with the largest
A maximum speed
B acceleration
C power
D average speed

110
32
2 A body that started from rest moves with constant acceleration in a straight line. After travelling a distance d the
v
speed of the car is v. What is the distance travelled when the speed of the car was ?
2
d d d d
A B C D
2 √2 4 2√2

3 A sphere falls trough a liquid and eventually reaches terminal speed. Which graph shows the variation with time of
the distance travelled by the sphere?
Distance

Distance

Distance
Time Time Time Time
A B C D

4 A steel ball of mass m is thrown vertically downwards with initial speed u near the Earth’s surface. The rate of
change of the momentum of the ball as it falls is:
A 0 B mu C m(u + gt) D mg

5 A lunar module is descending vertically above the lunar surface. The speed of the module is decreasing. Which is a
free-body diagram of the forces on the landing module?

A B C D

6 A person of mass m stands on weighing scales in an elevator. The elevator is accelerating upwards with acceleration
a. The reaction force from the scales on the person is R. What is the reading on the scales?
A mg B R + ma C R − ma DR

7 A body of mass 3M at rest explodes into two pieces of mass M and 2M. What is the ratio of the kinetic energy of
M to that of 2M?
1 1
A 4 B 2 C4 D2

2 MECHANICS 111
33
8 The power delivered by a car engine is constant. A car starts from rest. Resistance forces are negligible. Which
graph shows the variation with time of the speed of the car?
Speed

Speed

Speed
Time Time Time Time
A B C D

9 The diagram shows two identical containers, X and Y, that are connected by a thin tube of negligible volume.
Initially container X is filled with water of mass m up to a height h and Y is empty.
X Y

The valve is then opened and both containers contain equal quantities of water. The loss of gravitational potential
energy of the water is:
mgh mgh mgh
A 0 B C D
8 4 2

10 A person of mass m stands on roller skates facing a wall. After pushing against the wall with a constant force F he
moves away, reaching speed v after a distance d. What is the work done by F?
A zero B mv2 C 12mv2 D Fd

11 In a factory blocks of ice slide down a smooth curved path AB and then on to a rough horizontal path starting at B.
A

B C

The length of the curved path AB is s; the block of ice takes time t to move from A to B.
a Explain why, for the motion of the block from A to B:
i the formula s = 12 gt2 does not apply. [1]
ii the formula v = 2gh does apply. [1]

112
34
b A block of ice of mass 25 kg slides from A to B. The speed of the block at B is vB = 4.8 m s−1.
Calculate the height h. [3]
c i The coefficient of dynamic friction between the block of ice and the rough surface BC is 0.45.
Show that the distance BC at which the block of ice is brought to rest is 2.7 m. [2]
ii Calculate the time it takes the block of ice to cover the distance BC. [2]
d The factory also produces blocks of ice of mass 50 kg that slide down the same path starting at A.
Predict, for this heavier block of ice, the speed at B and the stopping distance BC. (The coefficient
of friction stays the same.) [3]

12 A stone of mass 0.20 kg is thrown with speed 22 m s−1 from the edge of a cliff that is 32 m above the sea.
The initial velocity of the stone makes an angle of 35° with the horizontal. Air resistance is neglected.
22 m s–1

35°

32 m

a i Determine the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity. [2]
ii Sketch graphs showing the variation with time of the horizontal and vertical components of velocity. [2]
b i Calculate the maximum height above the cliff reached by the stone. [3]
ii State the net force on the stone at the highest point in its path. [1]
c i Using conservation of energy, determine the speed of the stone as it hits the sea. [2]
ii Hence or otherwise, determine the time it took the stone to reach the surface of the sea. [2]
The graph shows the path followed by this stone, until just before hitting the sea, in the absence of
air resistance.
y

d i On a copy of the axes above, draw the path of the stone in the presence of an air resistance force
opposite to the velocity and proportional to the speed. [3]
ii State and explain one difference between your graph and the graph above. [2]

2 MECHANICS 113
35
13 A toy helicopter has mass m = 0.30 kg and blade rotors of radius R = 0.25 m. It may be assumed that as the blades
turn, the air exactly under the blades is pushed downwards with speed v. The density of air is = 1.2 kg m−3.
a i Show that the force that the rotor blades exert on the air is R2v2. [3]
ii Hence estimate the speed v when the helicopter just hovers. [2]
b Determine the power generated by the helicopter’s motor when it just hovers as in a. [2]
c The rotor blades now move faster pushing air downwards at a speed double that found in a. The helicopter is
raised vertically a distance of 12 m.
Estimate:
i the time needed to raise the helicopter. [2]
ii the speed of the helicopter after it is raised 12 m. [2]
iii the work done by the rotor in raising the helicopter. [1]

14 It is proposed to launch projectiles of mass 8.0 kg from satellites in space in order to destroy incoming ballistic
missiles. The launcher exerts a force on the projectile that varies with time according to the graph.
F /kN 40

0
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
t /s

The impulse delivered to the projectile is 2.0 × 103 N s. The projectile leaves the launcher in 0.20 s.
a Estimate:
i the area under the curve [1]
ii the average acceleration of the projectile [3]
iii the average speed of the projectile [2]
iv the length of the launcher. [2]
b Calculate, for the projectile as it leaves the launcher:
i the speed [2]
ii the kinetic energy. [2]
c Estimate the power delivered to the projectile by the launcher. [2]

15 A car of weight 1.4 × 104 N is moving up an incline at a constant speed of 6.2 m s−1. The incline makes an angle
of 5.0° to the horizontal. A frictional force of 600 N acts on the car in a direction opposite to the velocity.
a i State the net force on the car. [1]
ii Calculate the force F pushing the car up the incline. [3]
b The power supplied by the car is 15 kW. Determine the efficiency of the car engine in pushing the
car uphill. [3]

114
36
c The car is now allowed to roll down the incline from rest with the engine off. The only resistance force
on the car is assumed to be proportional to speed. On a copy of the axes below, draw sketch graphs to
show the variation with time of:
i the speed of the car [2]
ii the acceleration of the car. [2]

Acceleration
Speed

Time Time

16 A bullet of mass 0.090 kg is shot at a wooden block of mass 1.20 kg that is hanging vertically at the end of a
string.

The bullet enters the block with speed 130 m s−1 and leaves it with speed 90 m s−1. The mass of the block does not
change appreciably as a result of the hole made by the bullet.
a i Calculate the change in the momentum of the bullet. [2]
ii Show that the initial velocity of the block is 3.0 m s−1. [1]
iii Estimate the loss of kinetic energy in the bullet–block system. [2]
As a result of the impact, the block is displaced. The maximum angle that the string makes with the
vertical is . The length of the string is 0.80 m.

b Show that ≈ 65°. [3]

c i State and explain whether the block in b is in equilibrium. [2]
ii Calculate the tension in the string in b. [3]

2 MECHANICS 115
37

Topic 2.1a Kinematics Problems

Conceptual Questions
(These questions are not in an IB style but instead designed to check your understanding of the concept of this topic. You should
try your best to appropriately communicate your answer using prose)

1. Can an object have zero velocity and nonzero acceleration at the same time? Give examples.

2. Can the velocity of an object be negative when its acceleration is positive? What about vice-versa?

3. Can an object be increasing in speed as its acceleration decreases? If so, give an example. If not,
explain.

38
Topic 2.1b Kinematics Problems

Calculation-based Questions
1. A car accelerates from 13m/s to 25m/s in 6.0s. What was its acceleration? How far did it travel in
this time? Assume constant acceleration.
[2 marks]

2. A car slows down from 23m/s to rest in a distance of 85m. What was the acceleration, assumed
constant?
[1 mark]

3. Estimate how long it took King Kong to fall straight down from the top of the Empire State Building
(380m high) and his velocity just before he touched the ground. Ignore air resistance.
[2 marks]

39
4. A stone is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 18.0m/s. How fast is it moving when it reaches
a height of 11.0m and how long is required to reach this height? Why are there two answers?
[3 marks]

5. A stone is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 12.0m/s from the edge of a cliff 70.0m high.
How long does it take to reach the bottom of the cliff and what is its speed before hitting? What
was the total distance that it traveled? Ignore air resistance.
[3 marks]

40
Topic 2.1b Kinematics Problems
Calculation-based Questions
1. The graph below shows the velocity of a train as a function of time.

a. At what time was its velocity the greatest?

b. During which periods, if any, was the velocity constant?
c. During what periods, if any, was the acceleration constant?
d. When was the magnitude of the acceleration the greatest?
[4 marks]

Esimtate the distance the object travelled

e. during the first minute and;
f. in the second minute
[2 marks]

41
2. The position of a rabbit along a straight tunnel as a function of time is plotted below. What is the
instantaneous velocity
a. at t = 10.0s and,
b. at t = 30.0s?
[2 marks]

What is the average velocity

c. between t = 0 and t = 5.0s,
d. between t = 25.0s and t = 30.0s and,
e. between t = 40.0s and t = 50.0s?
[3 marks]

42
3. A certain type of automobile can accelerate approximately as shown in the velocity – time graph as
shown below. (The short flat spots in the curve represent shifting of the gears.)

Estimate the average acceleration when it is in

a. first,
b. third,
c. fifth gear.
d. What is its average acceleration through the first four gears?
[4 marks]

43
Topic 2.1c Kinematics Problems

Calculation-based Questions
1. A car accelerates from 13m/s to 25m/s in 6.0s. What was its acceleration? How far did it travel in
this time? Assume constant acceleration.
[2 marks]

2. A car slows down from 23m/s to rest in a distance of 85m. What was the acceleration, assumed
constant?
[1 mark]

3. Estimate how long it took King Kong to fall straight down from the top of the Empire State Building
(380m high) and his velocity just before he touched the ground. Ignore air resistance.
[2 marks]

44
4. A stone is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 18.0m/s. How fast is it moving when it reaches
a height of 11.0m and how long is required to reach this height? Why are there two answers?
[3 marks]

45
Topic 2.1d Projectile Motion Problems
Conceptual Questions
(These questions are not in an IB style but instead designed to check your understanding of the concept of this topic. You should
try your best to appropriately communicate your answer using prose)

1. Two cannon balls A and B are fired from the ground with identical initial speeds, but with θA larger
than θB. (a) Which cannonball reaches a higher elevation? (b) which stays longer in the air? (c)
Which travels farther?

2. A projectile is launched at an angle of 30° to the horizontal with a speed of 30m/s. How does the
horizontal component of its velocity 1.0s after launch compare with its horizontal component of
velocity 2.0s after launch?

Calculation Based
3. A tiger leaps horizontally from a 6.5m high rock with a speed of 3.5m/s. How far from the base of
the rock will she land?

46
4. A diver running 1.8m/s dives out horizontally from the edge of a vertical cliff and 3.0s later reaches
the water below. How high was the cliff and how far from its base did the diver hit the water?

5. A football is kicked at ground level with a speed of 18.0m/s at an angle of 35.0° to the horizontal.
How much later does it hit the ground?

47
6. A projectile is fired with an initial speed of 65.2m/s at an angle of 34.5° above the horizontal on a
long flat firing range. Determine (a) the maximum height reached by the projectile, (b) the total
time in the air, (c) the total horizontal distance covered (that is the range), and (d) the velocity of
the projectile 1.50s after firing.

48
7. A projectile is shot from the edge of a cliff 125m above ground level with an initial speed of 65.0m/s
at an angle of 37.0° with the horizontal, as shown below. (a) Determine the time taken by the
projectile to hit point P at ground level. (b) Determine the range X of the projectile as measured
from the base of the cliff. At the instant just before the projectile hits point P, find (c) the horizontal
and the vertical components of its velocity, (d) the magnitude of the velocity, and (e) the angle
made by the velocity vector with the horizontal. (f) Find the maximum height above the cliff top
reached by the projectile.

49
Topic 2.2a Kinematics Problems

Calculation-based Questions
1. A net force of 265N accelerates a bike and rider at 2.30m/s2. What is the mass of the bike and the
rider together?
[1 mark]

2. What is the weight of a 76kg astronaut

a. on Earth
b. on the Moon (g = 1.7m/s2)
c. on Mars (g = 3.7m/s2)
d. in outer space traveling with constant velocity?
[4 marks]

3. What is the average force required to stop a 1100-kg car in 8.0s if the car is travelling at 95km/h?
[3 marks]

50
4. What is the average force needed to accelerate a 7.00g pellet from rest to 125m/s over a distance
of 0.800m along the barrel of the rifle?
[2 marks]

5. A 0.140kg baseball traveling at 35.0m/s strikes the catcher’s mit, which, in bringing the ball to rest,
recoils backward 11.0cm. What was the average force applied by the ball on the glove?
[2 marks]

51
Topic 2.2b Kinematics Problems

1. Why does a child, sat in a toy wagon, seem to fall backward when you give the wagon a sharp pull
forward?

2. If the acceleration of an object is zero, are no forces acting on it? If only one force acts on the
object, can the object have zero acceleration? Can it have zero velocity? Explain.

3. If you walk along a log floating on a lake, why does the log move in the opposite direction?

52
Topic 2.2c Kinematics Problems

Calculation-based Questions
1. Arlene is to walk across a “high-wire” strung horizontally between two buildings 10.0m apart. The
sag in the rope when she is at the mid-point is 10.0° as shown. If her mass is 50.0kg, what is the
tension in the rope at this point?
[2 marks]

2. A box weighing 77.0N rests on a table. A rope tied to the box runs vertically upward over a pulley
and a weight is hung from the other end. Determine the force that the table exerts on the box if the
weight hanging on the other side of the pulley weighs
a. 30.0N
b. 60.0N
c. 90.0N
[4 marks]
(Hint: You should sketch a free-body diagram for the general case)

53
3. A window washer pulls herself upward using a bucket-pulley system as
shown.
a. Sketch a free-body diagram showing the force of gravity and the
force exerted by the rope (tension).
b. How hard must she pull downward to raise herself slowly at
constant speed?
c. If she increases this force by 15%, what will her acceleration by?

Assume the mass of the person and the bucket is 65kg.

[4 marks]

54
4. The diagram below shows a block (mass mA) on a smooth horizontal
surface, connected by a thin cord that passes over a pulley to a
second block (mB), which hangs vertically.

a. Draw a free-body diagram for each block, showing the force

of gravity on each, the force (tension) exerted by the cord,
and any normal force.
b. Apply Newton’s second law to find formulas for the
acceleration of the system and for the tension in the cord.
Ignore friction and the masses of the pulley and cord.
[3 marks]

55
Topic 2.3a Work and Energy

1. You have two springs that are identical except that spring 1 is stiffer than spring 2 (k1 > k2). On
which spring is more work done if (a) they are stretched using the same force, (b) stretched the
same distance?

2. When a rubber bouncy-ball is dropped, can it rebound to a height greater than its original height?
Explain.

3. Why is it easier to climb a mountain via a zigzag trail than to climb straight up?

56
4. Water balloons are tossed from the roof of a building, all with the
same speed but with different launch angles. Which one has the
highest speed on impact? Ignore air resistance.

57
Topic 2.3b Work done by a constant force

Calculation-based Questions
1. How much work is done by the gravitational force when a 256kg pile driver falls 2.80m?
[1 mark]

2. A 1300-N crate rests on the floor. How much work is required to move it at a constant speed…
a. 4.0m along the floor against a friction force of 230N, and
b. 4.0m vertically?
[2 mark]

3. A box of mass 5.0kg is accelerated from rest across a floor at a rate of 2.0m/s2 for 7.0s. Find the net
work done on the box.
[2 marks]

58
4. A 330-kg piano slides 3.6m down a 28° incline and is kept
from accelerating by a man who is pushing back on it
parallel to the incline. The effective coefficient of friction
μ is 0.40 and the force due to friction can be calculated
by F = μN where is the normal force.
Calculate:
a. the force exerted by the man.
b. the work done by the man on the piano.
c. the work done by the friction force.
d. the work done by the force of gravity.
e. the net work done on the piano.
[10 marks]

(Hint: Draw the free-body diagram. You will need to resolve forces parallel and perpendicular to the
incline.)

59
Topic 2.3c Mechanical Energy

Calculation-based Questions
1. If the KE of an arrow is doubled, by what factor has its speed increased? If its speed is doubled, by
what factor does its KE increase?
[2 marks]

2. How much work must be done to stop a 1250-kg car travelling at 105km/h?
[2 marks]

3. A spring has a stiffness constant of, k, of 440N/m. How much must this spring be stretched to store
25J of potential energy?
[1 mark]

4. By how much does the gravitational potential energy of a 64kg pole-vaulter change if his centre of
mass rises about 4.0m during the jump?
[1 mark]

60
5. A sled is initially given a shove up a frictionless 28.0° incline. It reaches a maximum vertical height
of 1.35m higher than where it started. What was the initial speed?
[2 marks]

6. Two railroad cars, each of mass 7650kg and traveling 95km/h in opposite directions, collide head-
on and come to rest. How much thermal energy is produced in this collision?
[2 marks]

7. You drop a ball from a height of 2.0m, and it bounces back to a height of 1.5m.
a. What fraction of its initial energy is lost during the bounce?
b. What is the ball’s speed just as it leaves the ground after the bounce?
c. Where did the energy go?
[5 marks]

61
8. How long will it take a 1750-W motor to lift a 315kg piano to a sixth-story window 16.0m above?

9. A car generates 18hp (1hp = 746W) when travelling at a steady 88km/h, what must the average
force exerted on the car due to friction and air resistance?
[2 marks]

62
Topic 2.4a Momentum Problems
Conceptual Questions
(These questions are not in an IB style but instead designed to check your understanding of the concept of this topic. You should
try your best to appropriately communicate your answer using prose)

1. When you release an inflated but untied balloon, why does it fly across the room?

2. Cars used to be built as rigid as possible to withstand collisions. Today, though, cars are designed to
have “crumple zones” that collapse upon impact. What is the advantage of this new design?

3. Is it possible for an object to receive a larger impulse from a small force than from a large force?
Explain.

63
Calculation-based Questions
4. A constant friction force of 25N acts on a 65kg skier for 20s. What is the skier’s change in velocity?
[2 marks]

5. A 0.145kg baseball pitched at 39.0m/s is hit on a horizontal line drive straight back at the pitcher at
52.0m/s. If the contact time between the bat and the ball is 3.00x10-3s, calculate the average force
between the bat and the ball during contact.
[2 marks]

64
6. A child in a boat throws a 6.40kg package out horizontally with a speed of 10.0m/s. Calculate the
velocity of the boat immediately after, assuming it was initially at rest. The mass of the child is
26.0kg and that of the boat is 45.0kg. Ignore water resistance.
[2 marks]

7. A 12,600-kg railroad car travels alone on a level frictionless track with a constant speed of 18.0m/s.
A 5350-kg load, initially at rest, is dropped onto the car. What will be the car’s new speed?
[2 marks]

8. A 9300-kg boxcar travelling at 15.0m/s strikes a second boxcar at rest. The two stick together and
move off with a common speed of 6.0m/s. What is the mass of the second car?
[2 marks]

65
9. Suppose the force acting on a tennis ball (mass 0.060kg) points in the +x direction and is given by
the graph as a function of time. Use graphical methods to estimate
a. the total impulse given the ball, and
b. the velocity of the ball after being struck, assuming the ball is being served so it is nearly at
rest initially.
[2 marks]

66
Topic 2.4b Momentum and Energy Problems
Calculation-based Questions
1. A 0.450kg ice puck, moving east with a speed of 3.00m/s, has a head on collision with a 0.900kg
puck initially at rest. Assuming a perfectly elastic collision, what will be the speed and direction of
each object after the collision?
[4 marks]

2. Two billiard balls of equal mass undergo a perfectly elastic head-on collision. If one ball’s initial
speed was 2.00m/s, and the other’s was 3.00m/s in the opposite direction, what will be their
speeds after the collision?
[4 marks]

67
3. A 10,000kg railroad car, A travelling at a speed of 24.0m/s strikes an identical car, B, at rest. If the
cars lock together as a result of the collision, calculate:
a. the common speed after the collision.
b. how much of the initial kinetic energy is transformed to thermal or other forms of energy.
[4 marks]

68
Topic 2: Mechanics

Topic 2: Mechanics

1. Which one of the following is a correct definition of displacement?

A. Distance from a fixed point

B. Distance moved from a fixed point

C. Distance from a fixed point in a given direction

D. Distance moved in a given direction

(1)

2. The minute hand of a clock hung on a vertical wall has length L.

P
L

The minute hand is observed at the time shown above and then again, 30 minutes later.

What is the displacement of, and the distance moved by, the end P of the minute hand during this time
interval?

displacement distance moved

A. 2L vertically downwards πL

B. 2L vertically upwards πL

C. 2L vertically downwards 2L

D. 2L vertically upwards 2L
(1)

3. A particle moves from a point P to a point Q in a time T. Which one of the following correctly defines
both the average velocity and average acceleration of the particle?

Average velocity Average acceleration

displacement of Q and P change in speed from Q to P
A.
T T
displacement of Q and P change in velocity from Q to P
B.
T T
distance between Q and P change in speed from Q to P
C.
T T
distance between Q and P change in velocity from Q to P
D.
T T
(1)

69 1
Topic 2: Mechanics

4. A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground. The graph shows the variation with time t of the
vertical displacement d of the ball.

Which of the following gives the final displacement after time T and the average speed between time t =
0 m aand time t = T?

Displacement Average speed

A. 0 0

0 2D
B.
T

2D 2D
C.
T

D. 2D 0

(1)

5. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement s of an object moving along a
straight-line.

s/m

20.0

0.0
0.0 2.0 4.0 t / s

The best estimate of the instantaneous speed of the object at t = 2.0 s is

A. 0.0 ms–1.

B. 0.2 ms–1.

C. 5.0 ms–1.

D. 10.0 ms–1.
(1)

70 2
Topic 2: Mechanics

6. Four cars W, X, Y and Z are on a straight road. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the
distance s of each car from a fixed point.

s X

W Y

Z
0
0 t

Which car has the greatest speed?

A. W B. X C. Y D. Z
(1)

7. The diagram below shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object.

0
0 t

The area between the line of the graph and the time-axis represents

A. the average velocity of the object.

B. the displacement of the object.

C. the impulse acting on the object.

D. the work done on the object.

(1)

8. An object has initial speed u and acceleration a. After travelling a distance s, its final speed is v. The
quantities u, v, a and s are related by the expression

v2 = u2 + 2as.

Which of the following includes the two conditions necessary for the equation to apply?

A. a has constant direction u and v are in the same direction

B. a has constant direction a, u and v are in the same direction

C. a has constant magnitude a has constant direction

D. a has constant magnitude u and v are in the same direction

(1)

71 3
Topic 2: Mechanics

9. A stone X is thrown vertically upwards with speed v from the top of a building. At the same time, a
second stone Y is thrown vertically downwards with the same speed v as shown.

X Y
v

Building

Air resistance is negligible. Which one of the following statements is true about the speeds with which
the stones hit the ground at the base of the building?

A. The speed of stone X is greater than that of stone Y.

B. The speed of stone Y is greater than that of stone X.

C. The speed of stone X is equal to that of stone Y.

D. Any statement about the speeds depends on the height of the building.
(1)

10. A body starting from rest moves along a straight-line under the action of a constant force. After travelling
a distance d the speed of the body is v.

initial position
v

d
The speed of the body when it has travelled a distance from its initial position is
2

v
A. .
4

v
B. .
2

v
C. .
2

v
D. .
2 2
(1)

72 4
Topic 2: Mechanics

11. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object.
v

Which one of the following graphs best represents the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the object?

A. a B. a

0 0
0 t 0 t

C. a D. a

0 0
0 t 0 t

(1)

12. The graph shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of an object.

The object is at rest at time t = 0.

Which of the following is the velocity of the object at time t = 6.0 s?

A. 0.50 m s–1. B. 2.0 m s–1. C. 36 m s–1. D. 72 m s–1.

(1)

73 5
Topic 2: Mechanics

13. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of a spaceship.

0
0 T t

The spaceship is at rest at t = 0.

The shaded area represents

A. the distance travelled by the spaceship between t = 0 and t = T.

B. the speed of the spaceship at t = T.

C. the rate at which the speed of the spaceship changes between t = 0 and t = T.

D. the rate at which the acceleration changes between t = 0 and t = T.

(1)

14. A raindrop falling through air reaches a terminal velocity before hitting the ground. At terminal velocity,
the frictional force on the raindrop is

A. zero.

B. less than the weight of the raindrop.

C. greater than the weight of the raindrop.

D. equal to the weight of the raindrop.

(1)

15. A steel sphere is dropped from rest in oil. Which of the following graphs best represents the variation
with time of the speed of the sphere?
A. speed B. speed

0 0
0 time 0 time

C. speed D. speed

0 0
0 time 0 time
(1)

74 6
Topic 2: Mechanics

16. A ball is thrown horizontally from the top of a cliff. Air resistance is negligible. Which of the following
diagrams best represents the subsequent path of the ball?
A. B.

C. D.

(1)

17. A stone is thrown at an angle to the horizontal. Ignoring air resistance, the horizontal component of the
initial velocity of the stone determines the value of

A. range only.

B. maximum height only.

C. range and maximum height.

D. range and time of flight.

(1)

18. A stone is projected horizontally from the top of a cliff. Neglecting air resistance, which one of the
following correctly describes what happens to the horizontal component of velocity and to the vertical
component of velocity?

Horizontal component of velocity Vertical component of velocity

A. Decreases Increases

B. Decreases Constant

C. Constant Constant

D. Constant Increases
(1)

75 7
Topic 2: Mechanics

19. A ball rolls off a horizontal table with velocity v. It lands on the ground a time T later at a distance D
from the foot of the table as shown in the diagram below. Air resistance is negligible.

table

A second heavier ball rolls off the table with velocity v. Which one of the following is correct for the
heavier ball?

Time to land Distance from table

A. T D

B. T less than D

C. less than T D

D. less than T less than D

(1)

20. A projectile is fired from the ground at time t = 0. It lands back on the ground at time t = T. Which of the
following sketch graphs best shows the variation with time t of the vertical speed VV and horizontal speed
VH of the projectile? Air resistance is negligible.

A. B. VH
VH
speed speed

VV
VV

0 0
0 T t 0 T t
C. D.

speed speed

VH
VV VH
VV

0 0
0 T t 0 T t
(1)

76 8
Topic 2: Mechanics

21. Two identical metal spheres X and Y are released at the same time from the same height above the
horizontal ground. Sphere X falls vertically from rest. Sphere Y is projected horizontally as shown below.
X Y

ground

Air resistance is negligible.

Which of the following statements is correct?

A. Sphere X hits the ground before sphere Y because it travels a shorter distance.

B. Sphere Y hits the ground before sphere X because its initial velocity is greater.

C. The spheres hit the ground at the same time because horizontal motion does not affect vertical
motion.

D. The spheres hit the ground at the same time because they have equal weights.
(1)

22. The diagram below shows the trajectory of a ball thrown into the air. There is no air resistance.
trajectory of ball
X
A B

C
D

Which arrow gives the direction of the resultant force on the ball at the point X?

A. A B. B C. C D. D
(1)

23. A particle is projected horizontally with speed v from a height H. It lands a horizontal distance R from the
point of launch as shown in the diagram below.
v

A second particle is projected horizontally from the same height with speed 2v. Neglecting air resistance
the horizontal distance travelled by this particle is

A. R.B. 2R. C. 2R. D. 4R.

(1)

77 9
Topic 2: Mechanics

24. Which one of the following is a true statement concerning the vertical component of the velocity and the
acceleration of a projectile when it is at its maximum height? (The acceleration of free fall is g.)

Vertical component of velocity Acceleration

A. maximum zero
B. maximum g
C. zero zero
D. zero g
(1)

25. A boat is moving in the direction shown with a speed of 5 m s−1 as measured by Nico who is at rest on
the beach. Aziz walks along the deck of the boat in the direction shown with a speed of 2 m s−1 measured
relative to the boat.

If velocity is measured as positive in the direction shown, the velocity of Nico relative to Aziz is

A. − 7 m s−1. B. − 3 m s−1. C. + 3 m s−1. D. + 7 m s−1.

(1)

26. A car is heading due East at a speed of 10 m s−1. A bird is flying due North at a speed of 4 m s−1, as
shown below.

Which one of the following vectors represents the velocity of the bird relative to a person in the car?

A. B.

C. D.

(1)

78 10
Topic 2: Mechanics

27. An object is moving at constant velocity. Which one of the following quantities must have zero
magnitude?

A. Weight of object

B. Momentum of object

C. Kinetic energy of object

D. Resultant force on object

(1)

28. A horse pulls a boat along a canal at constant speed in a straight-line as shown below.

horse

P F

L boat direction of travel

The horse exerts a constant force F on the boat. The water exerts a constant drag force L and a constant
force P on the boat. The directions of F, L and P are as shown. Which one of the following best
represents a free-body diagram for the boat?

A. B. F

L L

P P

C. D. F

L L

P
(1)

79 11
Topic 2: Mechanics

29. Three forces of magnitude F1 = 3.0 N, F2 = 4.0 N and F3 = 6.0 N act at a point. The point is in
equilibrium. The magnitude of the resultant of F1 and F2 is

A. 1.0 N. B. 5.0 N. C. 6.0 N. D. 7.0 N.

(1)

30. The graph below shows the variation with load F of the length L of a spring.

0
0 L1 L2 L

Which of the following expressions gives the force per unit extension (the spring constant) of the spring?

F1 F2 (F2 − F1 ) (F2 − F1 )
A. B. C. D.
L1 L2 L2 L2 − L1
(1)

31. A block of mass m is pulled along a horizontal, frictionless surface by a force of magnitude F. The force
makes an angle θ with the vertical.

block

The magnitude of the acceleration of the block in the horizontal direction produced by the force F is

F F sin θ F cos θ F tan θ

A. . B. . C. . D. .
m m m m
(1)

32. A trolley of mass 1.5 kg is pulled along a horizontal table by a force of 5.0N.

force 5.0N

The frictional force acting on the trolley is 0.50N.

The acceleration of the trolley is

A. 0.30 m s–2.

B. 0.33 m s–2.

C. 3.0 m s–2.

D. 3.3 m s–2.
(1)

80 12
Topic 2: Mechanics

33. Two blocks having different masses slide down a frictionless slope.

Which of the following correctly compares the accelerating force acting on each block and also the
accelerations of the blocks down the slope?

Accelerating force Acceleration

A. Equal Equal

B. Equal Different

C. Different Equal

D. Different Different
(1)

34. A light inextensible string has a mass attached to each end and passes over a frictionless pulley as shown.

pulley

string

mass M

mass m

The masses are of magnitudes M and m, where m < M. The acceleration of free fall is g. The downward
acceleration of the mass M is

(M − m )g (M − m )g (M + m )g Mg
A. . B. . C. . D. .
(M + m ) M (M − m ) (M + m )
(1)

35. Which is an example of static friction?

A. ice skating on a frozen pond.

B. pushing a box that is at rest.

C. braking a car going down a hill.

D. driving a car up a hill.

36. Using lubricants on engine parts is an example of reducing

A. force. B. friction.

C. acceleration. D. motion.

81 13
Topic 2: Mechanics

37. In the diagram a wooden block is resting on an inclined plane. The weight of the block is W and the normal
reaction between the block and the plane is N and the frictional force acting on the block is F f . Angle θ is the
maximum angle of the plane before the block starts to slide down the plane. The coefficient of static friction between
the block and the plane is μ.

Which one of the following relationships between W and N is correct?

A. W = μN

B. W cos θ = μN

C. W sin θ = μN

D. W sin θ = N

38. A block of mass 1.0 kg is placed on a rough horizontal surface and a horizontal force of 2.5 N is applied to the
block as shown below.

The following data is available:

Coefficient of static friction = 0.3

Coefficient of dynamic friction = 0.2

Acceleration due to gravity = 10 ms-2.

Based on this data, it can be deduced that the block will

A. not move.

B. move at steady speed.

C. move with constant acceleration.

D. move with increasing acceleration.

82 14
Topic 2: Mechanics

39. A block is at rest on a rough plane inclined at an angle θ relatively to the horizontal.

The angle θ is slowly reduced. Which one of the following correctly describes the changes, if any, in the frictional
force F and the coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane?

40. A block is placed on a horizontal rough surface. A horizontal force F is applied to the block, as shown below.

The force required to keep the block moving at constant speed is less than the force required to make the block move
from rest. The explanation for this observation is that

A. before the block moves, the force F must also produce a turning moment.

B. a force is not required to keep the block moving at constant speed.

C. friction has to be overcome to make the block move.

D. the maximum static friction forces are greater than the maximum dynamic friction forces.

83 15
Topic 2: Mechanics

41. A constant force of magnitude F acts on a body. The graph shows the variation with time t of the
momentum p of the body.

The magnitude of the force F is

A. 1000 N. B. 200 N. C. 20 N. D. 0.05 N.

(1)

42. The velocity of a body of mass m changes by an amount ∆v in a time ∆t. The impulse given to the body is
equal to

∆v ∆v
A. m∆t. B. . C. m . D. m∆v.
∆t ∆t
(1)

43. A net force of magnitude F acts on a body for a time ∆t producing an impulse of magnitude Y. Which of
the following is the magnitude of the rate of change of momentum of the body?

A. F B. F∆t C. Y D. Y∆t
(1)

44. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the magnitude of the net force F acting on a body
moving along a straight-line.
F

0
0 t

The shaded area represents

A. the total work done by F.

B. the change in the kinetic energy of the body.

C. the change in the momentum of the body.

D. the change in the velocity of the body.

(1)

84 16
Topic 2: Mechanics

45. Which of the following quantities are conserved in an inelastic collision between two bodies?

Total linear momentum of the bodies Total kinetic energy of the bodies

A. yes yes

B. yes no

C. no yes

D. no no
(1)

46. A ball of mass 2.0 kg falls vertically and hits the ground with speed 7.0 ms–1 as shown below.

before after

The ball leaves the ground with a vertical speed 3.0 ms–1.

The magnitude of the change in momentum of the ball is

A. zero. B. 8.0 Ns. C. 10 Ns. D. 20 Ns.

(1)

47. A ball of mass m, travelling in a direction at right angles to a vertical wall, strikes the wall with a speed v1.
It rebounds at right angles to the wall with a speed v2. The ball is in contact with the wall for a time Δt.
The magnitude of the force that the ball exerts on the wall is

m(v1 + v 2 )
A. . B. m(v1 + v2)Δt.
∆t

m(v1 − v 2 )
C. . D. m(v1 – v2)Δt.
∆t
(1)

48. The momentum of a system is conserved if

A. no external forces act on the system.

B. no friction forces act within the system.

C. no kinetic energy is lost or gained by the system.

D. the forces acting on the system are in equilibrium.

(1)

85 17
Topic 2: Mechanics

49. Two spheres X and Y are moving towards each other along the same straight line with momenta of
magnitude PX and PY respectively. The spheres collide and move off with momenta pX and pY
respectively, as illustrated below.

Px PY px pY

X Y X Y

Before collision After collision

Which one of the following is a correct statement of the law of conservation of momentum for this
collision?

A. PX + PY = pX + pY

B. PX – PY = pX + pY

C. PX – PY = pX – pY

D. PX + PY = pX – pY
(1)

50. Two spheres of masses m1 and m2 are moving towards each other along the same straight-line with
speeds v1 and v2 as shown.

positive direction

m1 v1 v2 m2

The spheres collide. Which of the following gives the total change in linear momentum of the spheres as
a result of the collision?

A. 0

B. m1v1 + m2v2

C. m1v1 − m2v2

D. m2v2 − m1v1
(1)

86 18
Topic 2: Mechanics

51. The diagram below shows a trolley of mass 4.0 kg moving on a frictionless horizontal table with a speed
of 2.0 m s–1. It collides with a stationary trolley also of mass 4.0 kg.

Which of the following diagrams shows a possible outcome?

(1)

52. A truck collides head on with a less massive car moving in the opposite direction to the truck. During the
collision, the average force exerted by the truck on the car is FT and the average force exerted by the car
on the truck is FC. Which one of the following statements is correct?

A. FT will always be greater in magnitude than FC.

B. FT will always be equal in magnitude to FC.

C. FT will be greater in magnitude than FC only when the speed of the car is less than the speed of the
truck.

D. FT will be equal in magnitude to FC only when the speed of the truck is equal to the speed of the
car.
(1)

53. A box of mass m is moved horizontally against a constant frictional force f through a distance s at
constant speed v. The work done on the box is

A. 0. B. mgs.

1 2
C. mv . D. fs.
2
(1)

87 19
Topic 2: Mechanics

54. The point of action of a constant force F is displaced a distance d. The angle between the force and the
direction of the displacement is θ, as shown below.

Which one of the following is the correct expression for the work done by the force?

A. Fd

B. Fd sin θ

C. Fd cos θ

D. Fd tan θ
(1)

55. The graph below shows the variation with displacement d of the force F applied by a spring on a cart.

The work done by the force in moving the cart through a distance of 2 cm is

A. 10 × 10–2J.

B. 7 × 10–2J.

C. 5 × 10–2J.

D. 2.5 × 10–2J.
(1)

m
56. A body of mass m and speed v has kinetic energy EK. A second body of mass moves at speed 2v.
2
The kinetic energy of this second body is

EK
A. . B. EK. C. 2EK. D. 4EK.
2
(1)

88 20
Topic 2: Mechanics

57. A stone is thrown with speed v from the top of a cliff of height H, as shown below.

h
v

cliff

sea

The stone is thrown at an angle to the horizontal so that it rises to a height h above the top of the cliff
before falling into the sea. The acceleration of free fall is g. Air resistance is negligible.

Which one of the following expressions gives correctly the speed of the stone as it hits the sea?

A. v+ (2 gh ) B. v + (2 gH )

C. (2 g {h + H }) D. (v 2
+ 2 gH )
(1)

58. An object of mass m1 has a kinetic energy K1. Another object of mass m2 has a kinetic energy K2. If the
K
momentum of both objects is the same, the ratio 1 is equal to
K2

m2 m1 m2 m1
A. . B. . C. . D. .
m1 m2 m1 m2
(1)

59. The variation with time of the vertical speed of a ball falling in air is shown below.

Speed

0
0 T time

During the time from 0 to T, the ball gains kinetic energy and loses gravitational potential energy ΔEp. Which of
the following statements is true?

A. ΔEp is equal to the gain in kinetic energy.

B. ΔEp is greater than the gain in kinetic energy.

C. ΔEp is equal to the work done against air resistance.

D. ΔEp is less than the work done against air resistance.

(1)

89 21
Topic 2: Mechanics

60. The diagram below represents energy transfers in an engine.

input energy useful output energy

engine
EIN EOUT

wasted energy
EW

The efficiency of the engine is given by the expression

EW EW E OUT E OUT
A. . B. . C. . D. .
E IN E OUT E IN EW
(1)

61. An engine takes in an amount E of thermal energy and, as a result, does an amount W of useful work. An
amount H of thermal energy is ejected. The law of conservation of energy and the efficiency of the
engine are given by which of the following?

Law of conservation of energy Efficiency

A. E=W+H W

W
B. E=W+H
E
W
C. E+H=W
H
W
D. E+H=W
E–H
(1)

62. An electric train develops a power of 1.0 MW when travelling at a constant speed of 50 ms–1. The net
resistive force acting on the train is

A. 50 MN.

B. 200 kN.

C. 20 kN.

D. 200 N.
(1)

90 22
Topic 2: Mechanics

Short answer questions

1. Linear motion

(a) Define the term acceleration.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) An object has an initial speed u and an acceleration a. After time t, its speed is v and it has moved
through a distance s.

The motion of the object may be summarized by the equations

v = u + at,

s= 1
2
(v + u )t.
(i) State the assumption made in these equations about the acceleration a.

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Derive, using these equations, an expression for v in terms of u, s and a.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) The shutter speed of a camera is the time that the film is exposed to light. In order to determine the
shutter speed of a camera, a metal ball is held at rest at the zero mark of a vertical scale, as shown
below. The ball is released. The shutter of a camera is opened as the ball falls.

0 cm

scale

camera
196 cm

208 cm

The photograph of the ball shows that the shutter opened as the ball reached the 196 cm mark on
the scale and closed as it reached the 208 cm mark. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration
of free fall is 9.81 m s–2.

(i) Calculate the time for the ball to fall from rest to the 196 cm mark.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

91 23
Topic 2: Mechanics

(ii) Determine the time for which the shutter was open. That is, the time for the ball to fall from
the 196 cm mark to the 208 cm mark.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

2. This question is about throwing a stone from a cliff.

Antonia stands at the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone vertically upwards.

The stone leaves Antonia’s hand with a speed v = 8.0ms–1.

The acceleration of free fall g is 10 m s–2 and all distance measurements are taken from the point where
the stone leaves Antonia’s hand.

(a) Ignoring air resistance calculate

(i) the maximum height reached by the stone.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) the time taken by the stone to reach its maximum height.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

The time between the stone leaving Antonia’s hand and hitting the sea is 3.0 s.

(b) Determine the height of the cliff.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

92 24
Topic 2: Mechanics

3. This question is about trajectory motion.

Antonia stands at the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone upwards at an angle of 60° to the
horizontal.

The stone leaves Antonia’s hand with a speed v = 8.0 m s–1. The time between the stone leaving
Antonia’s hand and hitting the sea is 3.0 s.

The acceleration of free fall g is 10 m s–2 and all distance measurements are taken from the point where
the stone leaves Antonia’s hand.

Ignoring air resistance calculate

(a) the maximum height reached by the stone.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b) the horizontal distance travelled by the stone.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

4. This question is about projectile motion.

A stone is projected horizontally from the top of a cliff with a speed 15 m s–1.

93 25
Topic 2: Mechanics

The height of the cliff is 70 m and the acceleration of free fall is 10 m s–2. The stone strikes the surface of
the sea at velocity V.

(a) Ignoring air resistance, deduce that the stone strikes the sea at a speed of 40 m s–1.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Use your answer in (a) to calculate the angle that the velocity V makes with the surface of the sea.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

5. This question is about projectile motion.

A ball is kicked at an angle to the horizontal. The diagram below shows the position of the ball every
0.50 s.

vertical displacement / m 15

0
0 10 20 30 40
horizontal displacement / m

The acceleration of free fall is g = 10 m s–2. Air resistance may be neglected.

(a) Using the diagram determine, for the ball

(i) the horizontal component of the initial velocity.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

94 26
Topic 2: Mechanics

(ii) the vertical component of the initial velocity.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii) the magnitude of the displacement after 3.0 s.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) On the diagram above draw a line to indicate a possible path for the ball if air resistance were not
negligible.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

6. This question is about a balloon used to carry scientific equipment.

The diagram below represents a balloon just before take-off. The balloon’s basket is attached to the
ground by two fixing ropes.

balloon

basket

fixing rope fixing rope

50° 50°
ground

There is a force F vertically upwards of 2.15 × 103 N on the balloon. The total mass of the balloon and its
basket is 1.95 × 102 kg.

(a) State the magnitude of the resultant force on the balloon when it is attached to the ground.

...................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Calculate the tension in either of the fixing ropes.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(3)

95 27
Topic 2: Mechanics

(c) The fixing ropes are released and the balloon accelerates upwards. Calculate the magnitude of this
initial acceleration.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d) The balloon reaches a terminal speed 10 seconds after take-off. The upward force F remains
constant. Describe how the magnitude of air friction on the balloon varies during the first 10
seconds of its flight.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
7. This question is about measuring the coefficient of dynamic (kinetic) sliding friction.

A student releases a block of mass M placed at the top of an inclined plane and measures the time it takes the block to
travel a measured distance down the plane. The diagram below shows the block whilst it is still sliding.

(a) On the diagram, draw and name the forces acting on the block. [3]

(b) The angle of incline of the plane is 500 and the block takes 1.80 s to travel 4.00 m down the plane. The acceleration
due to gravity is 9.81ms−2.

Calculate

(i) the acceleration of the block down the plane.

...................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) the component of weight down the plane in terms of M.

..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... [2]

96 28
Topic 2: Mechanics

(c) If the coefficient of dynamic sliding friction between the plane and the block is μ k , what is the value of the
frictional force expressed in terms of μ k and M?

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................[2]
(d) Calculate the value of μk.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................[3]
(e) If the angle of incline of the plane is changed to 400 the block will only start to slide down the plane if it is given a
slight push. Estimate the value of the coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane.

...................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... [2]
(Total 14 marks)
8. Friction

(a) State two factors that affect the frictional force between surfaces in contact.

1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]

(b) Distinguish between static friction and dynamic (sliding) friction.

...................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... [3]
(c) A block of wood of weight 12 N is at rest on a flat, horizontal surface. The minimum horizontal force required to
move the block is 7.2 N. Calculate the coefficient of static friction between the block and the surface.

...................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... [1]
(d) The force of 7.2 N is applied continuously to the block. Explain whether the block will accelerate or move with
constant speed.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................[3]
(Total 9 marks)

97 29
Topic 2: Mechanics

9. This question is about the collision between two railway trucks (carts).

(a) Define linear momentum.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

In the diagram below, railway truck A is moving along a horizontal track. It collides with a stationary
truck B and on collision, the two join together. Immediately before the collision, truck A is moving with
speed 5.0 ms–1. Immediately after collision, the speed of the trucks is v.

The mass of truck A is 800 kg and the mass of truck B is 1200 kg.

(b) (i) Calculate the speed v immediately after the collision.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) Calculate the total kinetic energy lost during the collision.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Suggest what has happened to the lost kinetic energy.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

98 30
Topic 2: Mechanics

10. This question is about estimating energy changes for an escalator (moving staircase).

The diagram below represents an escalator. People step on to it at point A and step off at point B.

(a) The escalator is 30 m long and makes an angle of 40° with the horizontal. At full capacity, 48
people step on at point A and step off at point B every minute.

(i) Calculate the potential energy gained by a person of weight 7.0 × 102 N in moving from A to
B.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Estimate the energy supplied by the escalator motor to the people every minute when the
escalator is working at full capacity.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) State one assumption that you have made to obtain your answer to (ii).

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

The escalator is driven by an electric motor that has an efficiency of 70%.

(b) Using your answer to (a) (ii), calculate the minimum input power required by the motor to drive
the escalator.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

99 31
Topic 2: Mechanics

11. This question is about driving a metal bar into the ground.

Large metal bars can be driven into the ground using a heavy falling object.

In the situation shown, the object has a mass 2.0 × 103 kg and the metal bar has a mass of 400 kg.

The object strikes the bar at a speed of 6.0 m s–1. It comes to rest on the bar without bouncing. As a result
of the collision, the bar is driven into the ground to a depth of 0.75 m.

(a) Determine the speed of the bar immediately after the object strikes it.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(4)

(b) Determine the average frictional force exerted by the ground on the bar.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

100 32
Topic 2 (New) [90 marks]
An elastic climbing rope is tested by fixing one end of the rope to the top of a crane. The other
end of the rope is connected to a block which is initially at position A. The block is released from
rest. The mass of the rope is negligible.

The unextended length of the rope is 60.0 m. From position A to position B, the block falls freely.

1a. At position B the rope starts to extend. Calculate the speed of the block at position B. [2 marks]

At position C the speed of the block reaches zero. The time taken for the block to fall between B
and C is 0.759 s. The mass of the block is 80.0 kg.

1b. Determine the magnitude of the average resultant force acting on the block between B [2 marks]
and C.

101
Sketch on the diagram the average resultant force acting on the block between B and
1c. Sketch on the diagram the average resultant force acting on the block between B and [2 marks]
C. The arrow on the diagram represents the weight of the block.

1d. Calculate the magnitude of the average force exerted by the rope on the block [2 marks]
between B and C.

For the rope and block, describe the energy changes that take place

1e. between A and B. [1 mark]

between B and C. 102

1f. between B and C. [1 mark]

1g. The length reached by the rope at C is 77.4 m. Suggest how energy considerations [2 marks]
could be used to determine the elastic constant of the rope.

A small ball of mass m is moving in a horizontal circle on the inside surface of a frictionless
hemispherical bowl.

The normal reaction force N makes an angle θ to the horizontal.

2a. State the direction of the resultant force on the ball. [1 mark]

103 length to represent the weight of the

On the diagram, construct an arrow of the correct
2b. On the diagram, construct an arrow of the correct length to represent the weight of the [2 marks]
ball.

2c. Show that the magnitude of the net force F on the ball is given by the [3 marks]
following equation.

mg
F=
tan θ

104
The radius of the bowl is 8.0 m and θ = 22°. Determine the speed of the ball.
2d. The radius of the bowl is 8.0 m and θ = 22°. Determine the speed of the ball. [4 marks]

2e. Outline whether this ball can move on a horizontal circular path of radius equal to [2 marks]
the radius of the bowl.

105
A second identical ball is placed at the bottom of the bowl and the first ball is
2f. A second identical ball is placed at the bottom of the bowl and the first ball is [3 marks]
displaced so that its height from the horizontal is equal to 8.0 m.

The first ball is released and eventually strikes the second ball. The two balls remain in contact.
Determine, in m, the maximum height reached by the two balls.

A girl on a sledge is moving down a snow slope at a uniform speed.

3a. Draw the free-body diagram for the sledge at the position shown on the snow slope. [2 marks]

After leaving the snow slope, the girl on the106

sledge moves over a horizontal region
3b. After leaving the snow slope, the girl on the sledge moves over a horizontal region [3 marks]

of snow. Explain, with reference to the physical origin of the forces, why the vertical forces on
the girl must be in equilibrium as she moves over the horizontal region.

3c. When the sledge is moving on the horizontal region of the snow, the girl jumps off the [2 marks]
sledge. The girl has no horizontal velocity after the jump. The velocity of the sledge
immediately after the girl jumps off is 4.2 m s–1. The mass of the girl is 55 kg and the mass of
the sledge is 5.5 kg. Calculate the speed of the sledge immediately before the girl jumps from it.

3d. The girl chooses to jump so that she lands on loosely-packed snow rather than frozen [3 marks]
ice. Outline why she chooses to land on the snow.

107
The sledge, without the girl on it, now travels up a snow slope that makes an angle of 6.5˚ to the
The sledge, without the girl on it, now travels up a snow slope that makes an angle of 6.5˚ to the
horizontal. At the start of the slope, the speed of the sledge is 4.2 m s–1. The coefficient of
dynamic friction of the sledge on the snow is 0.11.

3e. Show that the acceleration of the sledge is about –2 m s –2. [3 marks]

3f. Calculate the distance along the slope at which the sledge stops moving. Assume that [2 marks]
the coefficient of dynamic friction is constant.

3g. The coefficient of static friction between the sledge and the snow is 0.14. Outline, [2 marks]
with a calculation, the subsequent motion of the sledge.

The diagram below shows part of a downhill108

ski course which starts at point A, 50 m above level
The diagram below shows part of a downhill ski course which starts at point A, 50 m above level
ground. Point B is 20 m above level ground.

A skier of mass 65 kg starts from rest at point A and during the ski course some of the
gravitational potential energy transferred to kinetic energy.

4a. From A to B, 24 % of the gravitational potential energy transferred to kinetic energy. [2 marks]
Show that the velocity at B is 12 m s–1.

4b. Some of the gravitational potential energy transferred into internal energy of the skis, [2 marks]
slightly increasing their temperature. Distinguish between internal energy and
temperature.

The dot on the following diagram represents109

the skier as she passes point B.
4c. The dot on the following diagram represents the skier as she passes point B. [2 marks]
Draw and label the vertical forces acting on the skier.

4d. The hill at point B has a circular shape with a radius of 20 m. Determine whether the [3 marks]
skier will lose contact with the ground at point B.

4e. The skier reaches point C with a speed of 8.2 m s –1. She stops after a distance of 24 [3 marks]
m at point D.
Determine the coefficient of dynamic friction between the base of the skis and the snow.
Assume that the frictional force is constant and that air resistance can be neglected.

At the side of the course flexible safety nets110

are used. Another skier of mass 76 kg falls normally
At the side of the course flexible safety nets are used. Another skier of mass 76 kg falls normally
into the safety net with speed 9.6 m s–1.

4f. Calculate the impulse required from the net to stop the skier and state an appropriate [2 marks]
unit for your answer.

4g. Explain, with reference to change in momentum, why a flexible safety net is less likely [2 marks]
to harm the skier than a rigid barrier.

A glider is an aircraft with no engine. To be 111

launched, a glider is uniformly accelerated from rest

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