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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Forces

Quick Check (page 52)

The direction towards the right has been assigned as positive. Since the 3 N force points to the left,
it is taken to be negative.
Test Yourself 3.1 & 3.2 (page 54)
1.

Magnetic force, gravitational force, electric force

2.

With a suitable scale, such as 1 cm : 500 N, we can use the parallelogram method or the
tip-to-tail method to find the resultant force.
Parallelogram method
lorry

3000 N
20
20

5600 N

lorry
20

3000 N

3.

Tip-to-tail method
5600 N
20
3000 N

20

3000 N

With a suitable scale, such as 1 cm : 2 N, we can use the parallelogram method or the tip-to-tail
method to find the value of W.
Parallelogram method
17.3 N

Tip-to-tail method
60
10 N

60 60
10 N

10 N

17.3 N 60
10 N

Since the object is in equilibrium, the weight W is equal to 17.3 N but acts in the direction
opposite to that of the resultant of the two tensions (i.e. downwards).
Quick Check (page 57)
No. The resultant force must be equivalent to the push on the book and the friction combined in terms
of magnitude and direction.
Quick Check (page 59)
The weight of the egg acts downwards on the egg cup. The egg cup exerts an equal but opposite
reaction force on the egg. These two forces form an actionreaction pair.

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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions

Chapter 3

Test Yourself 3.3 (page 60)
1.

(a)
(b)

When an object is moving at constant speed in a straight line, the resultant force is zero.
If the object is accelerating, then there must be a resultant force in the same direction as
the acceleration. This resultant force is given by F = ma.

2.

Initially, the forces that act on the object are balanced. By Newtons First Law of Motion, the
object moves at a constant speed because it does not experience a resultant force.
Subsequently, the forces that act on the object become unbalanced, for example, because a
larger pushing force is applied to the object. By Newtons Second Law of Motion, the object
accelerates because it experiences a resultant force.

3.

Let the mass of the unloaded van be M, and let the forward thrust be F for both vans.
We use Newtons Second Law of Motion, F = ma.
2
For the unloaded van, F = M 5 m s
For the loaded van, F = (2M) a where a = acceleration of the loaded van
Since F is the same for both vans,
2
M 5 m s = (2M) a
2
5ms
2
a=
= 2.5 m s
2
2
Hence, the acceleration of the loaded van is 2.5 m s .

4.

We use Newtons Second Law of Motion, F = ma.

Given: mass m = 86.5 kg
vu
Acceleration a =
t
1
1
700 m s 300 m s
=
6s
2
= 66.7 m s
2
Average resultant force F exerted on missile = 86.5 kg 66.7 m s
= 5770 N

Test Yourself 3.4 (page 63)

1.

No. To lean against a wall without slipping, there must be friction between the soles of our feet
and the ground, and between our body and the wall.

2.

Use wheels and ball bearings, or apply lubricants.

Quick Check (page 64)

Forces on apple being pushed by squirrel
Push force P by squirrel
Weight W of apple
Friction f between apple and ground
Normal reaction force F by ground

P
f

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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions

Chapter 3

Test Yourself 3.5 (page 66)
1.

The trolley is moving at a uniform velocity, which means the forces acting on the trolley are
balanced. Thus, a force of 50 N that keeps the trolley in motion must be balanced by a frictional
force of 50 N.

2.

The air resistance experienced by a falling object increases with its speed in air. However, the
weight of the stone is larger than that of the feather. The air resistance experienced by the stone
does not balance its weight as quickly as in the case of the feather. Thus, the stone accelerates
to a higher speed before it attains terminal velocity. This is why the stone hits the ground before
the feather, even though the acceleration of free fall is the same for both objects.

Get It Right (page 67)

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)

False
When an object does not move, this means that the forces acting on the object are balanced.
True
False
To find the combined effect of two forces on an object, we find the resultant force equivalent to
the individual forces in terms of magnitude and direction.
False
The product of mass and acceleration is the resultant of the forces acting on a body.
False
When there are forces acting on an object, the object will accelerate only if the forces are
unbalanced. If the forces are balanced, the resultant force is zero, and there is no acceleration.
False
Newtons Third Law states that if body A exerts a force FAB on body B, then body B will exert an
equal and opposite force FBA on body A.
True
True

Lets Review (page 68)

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
1.

B
We take the rightward direction as positive and the leftward direction as negative.
Resultant force = 4 N + 7 N + (3 N) + (2 N)
= 6 N to the right

2.

A
Because of the absence of friction between A and B, the 10 N force acts on B alone. B will be
pulled away by the 10 N force, but A will drop vertically to the ground. Since no resultant
horizontal force acts on A, A will experience no horizontal acceleration.

3.

C
Since the parachutist falls with terminal velocity, the resultant force acting on him is zero, as his
weight is balanced by the upward air resistance acting on him. The air resistance must be equal
to his weight, which is given as 700 N.

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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions

Chapter 3

Section B: Structured Questions
1.

(a)

(i)

Tow truck

(ii)

Car

1000 N
tow
truck

ft

(b)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

1000 N

car
fc

The car experiences a frictional force fc. By Newtons Second Law of Motion,
resultant force = 1000 N + (fc)
2
= 1000 kg 0.50 m s
fc = 500 N
The tow truck experiences a forward tractive force F and a frictional force ft of 750 N.
By Newtons Second Law of Motion,
resultant force = F + (1000 N) + ( ft)
2
= 1500 kg 0.50 m s
F = 2500 N
We now consider the tow truck and the car as one system. This system experiences
a resultant force FR.
2
FR = (1000 kg + 1500 kg) 0.5 m s
= 1250 N
Alternatively,
FR = F + (ft) + (fc)
= 2500 N + (750 N) + (500 N)
= 1250 N

2.

Use an appropriate scale, such as 1 cm : 0.5 km.

N
5 km
W

3 km

53
S

4 km

The resultant displacement of the car is 5 km.

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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions

Chapter 3

Section C: Free-Response Questions
1.

Use an appropriate scale, such as 1 cm : 10 N.

T2
45

W = 100 N

T1

45

Alternatively, we can use the sine rule.

W
T1
T2
=
=
sin 45 sin 90 sin 45
T2 = W = 100 N along the horizontal
T1 = 142 N at 45 to the horizontal
2.

We take the upward direction as positive and the downward direction as negative.
Consider the forces that act on m1, and those on m2.
By Newtons Second Law of Motion,
T m2g = m2a (1)
T m1g = m1a (2)
From (2), T = m1g m1a (3)
Substituting (3) into (1), we have (m1g m1a) m2g = m2a
m 1g m 2g = m 1a + m 2a
(m1 m2)g = (m1 + m2)a
m1 m2
a=(
)g
m1 + m2
We can find tension T by considering just one of the two masses. Here, we consider only the
forces that act on m2.
T m 2g = m 2a
T = m 2a + m 2g
= m2(a + g)
m1 m2
= m2[(
)g + g]
m1 + m2
m1 m2
= m2[(
) + 1]g
m1 + m2
m1 m2 + m1 + m2
= m 2(
)g
m1 + m2
2m1m2
=(
)g
m1 + m2

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3.5