Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises

Chapter 6

Force

4. dummy
Checkpoint

Checkpoint 1 (p.78)

1. (a) F Force is a vector.

(b) F An object can exert a force on another
object without touching it. This kind of force is
called non-contact force. Weight and magnetic Checkpoint 2 (p.84)
force are non-contact forces.
(c) F Consider an apple lying on your hand. The 1. B Since Fiona is lifting her son at a steady speed,

apple exerts a downward force on your hand by Newtons irst law, no net force is acting on him.
even though it is stationary. So her applied force is equal to his weight.

(d) F Both forces have effect on the object, 2. dummy

because the motion of the object is determined
by the net force (i.e. the vector sum of all the
forces) acting on it.

2. (a) No. The force no longer acts on the ball after it

leaves the pitchers hand.
3. (a) F An object in uniform motion requires no
(b) The weight of the ball (pointing downwards)
force acting on it.
3. (a) 1 N. (b) F Even though an object is acted on by

The weight of the apple (i.e.1 N) is balanced several forces, it may remain at rest (i.e. have
by the tension in the string attached to it. The no motion) if the forces balance each other out.
balance measures the tension and therefore (c) T
reads 1 N. (d) F An object moving upwards at a constant
(b) Both are 1 N. speed (i.e. in uniform motion) has no net force
As in (a), the weight of the apple is balanced acting on it.
by the tension in the string attached to it. (e) T

The lower balance measures the tension and (f) T

therefore reads 1 N.
The upper balance measures the tension in the Checkpoint 3 (p.87)
spring of the lower balance, and so it also reads
1 N. 1. (a) F Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist
(c) Both are 0.5 N. any change in its state of motion.

In this case, the weight of the apple is balanced (b) F Two stationary objects of different mass

by the resultant force of the tensions in the have different amount of inertia.
strings attached to it. Hence, the tension in (c) T

each string is only 0.5 N, which is shown on (d) F The passengers tend to lean backwards
each balance. in the car because the inertia of their bodies
tends to resist the change in their motion (i.e.
speeding up from rest).
2| Chapter 6 Force Checkpoint Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises

2. An elephant has a larger mass, and so it is more Checkpoint 5 (p.101)

dif icult to change its motion.
W g
3. (a) When the magician pulls out the tablecloth, 1. (a) W = g W = 12 W = 0.5 100 = 50 N

the dishes are moved by the friction from the The weight of the object on planet B is 50 N .
tablecloth. But on the other hand, the dishes (b) m = Wg = 100
10 = 10 kg
tend to stay at rest due to their inertia. So, if The mass of the object is 10 kg .
the pulling speed is high enough to shorten the
(c) a = 10 = 5 m s2
1
2
time at which the friction acts on the dishes,
The acceleration of the object is 5 m s2
the dishes would only move slightly.
(downwards).
(b) Heavier. The heavier the dishes, the larger
amount their inertia, and hence the larger the 2. Refer to the table below.
tendency they would remain at rest.
3. Take the upward direction as positive.
(c) This is to reduce the time at which the friction
acts on the dishes. By Newtons second law, we get

R mg = ma
Checkpoint 4 (p.94)
550 (50)(9.81) = (50)a

1. (a) F An object experiencing a constant net force a = 1.19 m s2

must be undergoing acceleration, and hence its
velocity must be changing. The acceleration of the lift is 1.19 m s2 (upwards).

(b) F The fact that an object experiences a

larger net force only implies it has a larger Checkpoint 6 (p.108)
acceleration (i.e. a larger change in velocity),
but not necessarily a larger velocity. For 1. Refer to the table on the next page.
example, a car moving at a very high velocity
2. B The limiting friction between the block and the
experiences a zero net force when its velocity
surface is 2 N. As the block keeps moving forward
remains unchanged.
after the pulling force is removed, it still experiences
(c) T
a friction of 2 N.
2. A By Newtons second law, we have
3. A At the instant an object is released from rest,

its acceleration is equal to the acceleration due to

F net = ma 1 = m(2) m = 0.5 kg
gravity. As the object speeds up, the air resistance
acting on it increases, reducing its acceleration
3. By Newtons second law,
gradually. Eventually, the object falls at a constant
F net = ma speed, and its acceleration becomes zero.

0.5 f = (0.2)(2) 4. B The net force acting on the feather is zero, and
f = 0.1 N hence the air resistance is equal to its weight.

Hence, the resistive force f has a magnitude of 0.1 N.

Checkpoint 5 Q2

motion of the lift direction of the acceleration how Bob feels his weight

speeding up upwards gain in weight

moving at a constant speed zero his actual weight
slowing down downwards loss in weight
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises Chapter 6 Force Exercise |3

Checkpoint 6 Q1

pulling force friction (magnitude) motion of the block

10 N 10 N at rest
20 N 20 N at rest
40 N 30 N accelerating
80 N 30 N accelerating

Checkpoint 7 (p.115)

1. C By Newtons third law, the force acting on Slimy

Amy by Fat Bob is equal (in magnitude) to the force

acting on Fat Bob by Slimy Amy, regardless of the
difference in their mass.

2. B By Newtons third law, the force acting on the

experts hand by the brick is equal to the force
acting on the brick by the experts hand.

3. A The gorilla does not experience any external net

force.
(b) Free body diagram of the book:
4. (a) No.
Although the forces are of equal magnitude and
opposite directions, they act on the same object
(i.e. the carrot).
(b) Yes.
Note that the weight of the carrot is the
gravitational force exerted on the carrot by
the Earth.
(c) Yes.

Exercise
(c) Free body diagram of the T-shirt:

Exercise 6.1 (p.78)

1. (a) Net force = 4N

(b) Net force = 3 N

(c) Net force = 13 N

2. (a) Free body diagram of the person:

(d) Free body diagram of the box:

4| Chapter 6 Force Exercise Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises

7. (a) Free body diagram of the wooden block:

3. A At this moment, the ball has no contact with any

object (e.g. the players foot or the ground). Hence,

the only force acting on it is its weight.
The net force acting on the block is zero.
4. (a) Free body diagram of the box: Hence,
R = W = 20 N

Hence, the force acting on the block by the tank

is 20 N upwards.
(b) Free body diagram of the loating wooden
block:

(b) Take the direction to the right as positive.

F net = 250 + 200 400 = 50 N

The net force acting on the box is 50 N to the Take the upward direction as positive.
right.
F net = F W
5. (a) Free body diagram of the beam:
10 = F 20
F = 30 N

Hence, the force exerted on the block by the

water is 30 N upwards.

Exercise 6.2 (p.88)

(b) Given that the net force acting on the beam is 1. C Net force = 0 acceleration = 0.
zero. Hence, 2. A Since the box moves at a constant speed, no net

force acts on it. Hence, the pushing force applied by

F net = W (90 + 90) = 0 W = 180 N
the man balances the friction from the ground.
The weight of the beam is 180 N downwards. Since the applied force acts horizontally, we need
not consider the weight, which acts vertically.
6. Free body diagrams of bottles A and B :
3. (a) The spacecraft will continue to move at a
constant velocity because it tends to maintain
its state of motion due to inertia.
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises Chapter 6 Force Exercise |5

(b) The spacecraft will move at a constant velocity. (b) Since magnet A remains stationary, the net
After the fuel runs out, the net force on the force acting on it is zero. Hence, we have
spacecraft is zero. Due to inertia, the spacecraft
tends to maintain its state of motion just before 10 + F 5 = 0 F = 5 N
the fuel runs out.
The magnetic force acting on magnet A is 5N
4. Both the cotton and the iron nails have the same upwards.
mass and hence the same amount of inertia.
Therefore, they are equally dif icult to move. 8. (a) No.
The string on the left tends keep the block in
5. (a) Since the trolley moves at a constant velocity, its place. To do so, the tension in the string is
the net force acting on it is zero. It is because 10 N. This is within the limit of the block, and
the pushing force exerted by Amy balances the therefore it would not be torn apart.
friction from the ground. Mathematically, we
(b) Yes.
have F = f = 20 N. The pushing force is 20 N
forward. In this case, the tension in the string on the left
has to be 20 N in order to keep the block in its
(b) If the pushing force increases and becomes
place. This exceeds the limit of the clay and it
larger than the friction, there will be a net force
would be torn apart.
acting on the trolley. It will then accelerate
forward.
Exercise 6.3 (p.94)
6. (a) (i) No net force is acting on the brothers
while they are sliding on the frictionless
1. (a) Under negligible resistive force, the accelera-
surface. According to Newtons irst law,
tion of the car is given by
they are moving at constant velocities.
(ii) A backward net force is acting on the F net F
a=
brothers because of the friction exerted m m

by the ice surface. They are slowing down. Therefore, we have

(b) Anthony will ind it more dif icult to slow
down. Due to his larger mass, his body has a driving force F / N acceleration a / m s2
higher reluctance to change his motion (i.e. to 5000 5
slow down).
10 000 10
7. (a) Free body diagram of the magnet A : 15 000 15

(b) Now the car experiences a constant resistive

force of 1000 N. The acceleration is given by

F net F f F 1000
a= =
m m m

Therefore, we have

Take the downward direction as positive. Since driving force F / N acceleration a / m s2

magnet A remains stationary, the net force 5000 4
acting on it is zero. Hence, we have
10 000 9
W +F T = 0 15 000 14
10 + F 15 = 0
2. C Note that the net force acting on the block and
F =5N
the acceleration of the block always point to the
same direction.
The magnetic force acting on magnet A is 5N

downwards.
6| Chapter 6 Force Exercise Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises

3. B By Newtons second law (i.e. Fnet = ma ), if both It has moved for 50 m after the brake is applied.
the net force Fnet and the mass m are doubled, then
8. (a) The acceleration is the slope of the v t graph,
the acceleration a remains unchanged.
and hence we have
1
4. B By Newtons second law, a m for a constant 0.8 0
net force on the trolley. a= = 0.2 m s2
40
5. (a) (i) Horizontal forces on the skier: (b) By Newtons second law, we have

F = ma = (0.6)(0.2) = 0.12 N

(c) Since a m1 , if m is doubled, then a is halved.

Hence, the v t graph becomes:

Both the boat and the skier move with a

constant velocity, so the net force acting
on the skier is zero. The tension in the
cord balances the resistive force. Hence,
the tension is 40 N forward.
(ii) Take the direction to the right as positive.
By Newtons second law, we have

T f = ma
T 40 = (60)(0.8)
T = 88 N

So the tension in the cord is 88 N

forward.
(b) No. Exercise 6.4 (p.108)
Once the cord breaks, the skier would experi-
ence a backward net force while still moving 1. (a) 0.6 ; 6 ; 1 ;
forwards. He would slow down uniformly (b) 180 ; 1800 ; 300
and come to a stop eventually. After that, the
(c) 1200 ; 12 000 ; 2000
resistive force would no longer act on him, and
so he would not move backwards. Note:

6. Take the direction to the right as positive. By The mass of an object is independent of where it is placed.
Newtons second law, we have By definition, W = mg , where g is the acceleration due to
the gravity of the specified planet.
F 900 1100 = (1500)(0.2) F = 2300 N
2. B Since the Kennys actual weight W is greater
So the driving force acting on the drive is 2300 N to than the scale reading R , the acceleration of the lift
the right. points downwards.
7. Take the forward direction as positive. By Newtons 3. D Since the box moves with a constant speed,
second law, we have we can deduce that the pulling force balances the
F net 6000 friction from the surface, i.e. the force arrows have
a= = = 4 m s2
m 1500 the same length.

By v 2 u 2 = 2as , we have 4. D At the instant just after the skydiver opens his
parachute, the air resistance acting on him increases
02 202 = 2(4)s s = 50 m greatly and becomes much greater than his weight
(which is a ixed value).
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises Chapter 6 Force Exercise |7

5. dummy (iii) Since the set-up falls at a constant velocity,

the net force acting on the book is zero.
The reading is the same as in (a), i.e.
10.0 N .

(iv) When the set-up falls freely, both the

balance and the book have the same
acceleration, i.e. a = 9.81 m s2 .

R = ma + mg = (1.019)(9.81 + 9.81) = 0
Take the upward direction as positive. By Newtons
second law, we have
So the reading is 0 .
F mg = ma 7. (a) Since the block remains at rest, the friction
( ) ( ) ( )
8 106 5.5 105 (9.81) = 5.5 105 a acting on the block balances the horizontal
a 4.74 m s2 force F . Hence, the friction is 10 N to the left.
(b) No.
So the initial acceleration of the rocket is 4.74 m s2
The block would remain at rest as long as
upwards.
the applied force F is lower than the limiting
6. (a) dummy friction. Hence, we can only deduce that the
limiting friction is larger than 10 N.

8. (a) From the graph, we know that the terminal

speed of the feather is 0.2 m s1 .
(b) dummy

When the balance remains stationary, the net

By Newtons second law, we have
force acting on the book is zero (i.e. the forces
acting on the book are balanced). Hence, we W f = ma
have
where W is the weight and f is the air
R = mg 10 = m(9.81) m = 1.019 1.02 kg resistance. The acceleration a is the rate of
change of the velocity, which is represented by
The mass of the book is 1.02 kg .
the slope of the v t graph.
(b) (i) Take the upward direction as positive. By At the beginning, the air resistance f is very
Newtons second law, we have small, so the feather accelerates at a rate close
to g . As its speed increases, the air resistance
R mg = ma
increases. As a result, the acceleration drops
Rearranging the equation gives gradually and so does the rate of increase of
the velocity.
R = ma + mg = (1.019)(2) + 10 12.0 N
9. (a) Take the upward direction as positive. By
W = mg , the mass of Peter is
So the reading is 12.0 N .
(ii) Given that the acceleration a = 5 m s2 . W 981
m= = = 100 kg
g 9.81
R = ma + mg = (1.019)(5) + 10 4.90 N

So the reading is 4.90 N .

8| Chapter 6 Force Exercise Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises

During t = 02 s, by Newtons second law, we

have

R W = ma
1071 981 = 100a
a = 0.9 m s2
Take the downward direction as positive. The
net force acting on the bead is
The acceleration of the lift is 0.9 m s2

upwards. F net = W F = 0.06 F

When Peters apparent weight is greater than his actual
weight (i.e. R > W ), we can deduce that the acceleration F t graph of the bead:
of the lift points upwards.
During t = 28 s, Peters apparent weight
equals his actual weight (i.e. R = W ), so we
can deduce that the acceleration of the lift is
0 .

(b) By Newtons second law, we have

R W = ma
R 981 = (100)(0.5)
R = 931 N

Hence, the R t graph of Peter becomes: (c) The weight of the bead is 0.06 N. By W = mg ,
the mass of the bead is
0.06
m= 0.006 12 kg
9.81

At time t = 1 s, the magnitude of the luid

resistance is 0.04 N. By Newtons second law,
we have

W F = ma
10. (a) The maximum friction is 1N . 0.06 0.04 = 0.006 12a
(b) (i) No, the block will not move. In this case, a 3.27 m s2
the friction on the block is 0.5 N , which
balances the pulling force completely. The acceleration of the bead is 3.27 m s2

(ii) Yes, the block will accelerate and move. In downwards.

this case, the friction on the block is 1 N
, which is the maximum friction between
the block and the surface.
(c) Add some lubricants between the block and
the ground.
11. (a) From the graph, we know that the luid
resistance is 0.06 N .
(b) When the bead reaches terminal speed, the
luid resistance acting on it is balanced by its
weight. Hence, we have W = 0.06 N.
Free body diagram of the bead:
12. (a) Since the block initially moves with a constant
velocity, it implies that a 8 N friction (pointing
towards the left) acts on the block. We can also
deduce that the block moves to the right.
Just after the 10 N force is removed, the friction
continues to oppose the rightward motion
of the block, and the net force on the block
is 2 + 8 = 10 N to the left. Thus the blocks
acceleration is 10 m s2 to the left.
(b) No.
As the 2 N force is smaller than the limiting
friction between the block and the ground
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises
(8 N), the block will remain at rest as the
2 N will be balanced by the friction from the
ground.
Exercise 6.5 (p.116)
1. (a) the table; the book
(b) the swimming platform; the girl
(c) the box; the string
(d) the wall; the basketball
2. D The force acting on A by B and that on B by
A have the same magnitude but are in opposite
directions.
3. A The force acting on Katie by Tom is equal to the
force acting on Tom by Katie. So the acceleration of
Tom is given by
m 1 a 1 = m 2 a 2 (60)a 1 = (50)(6) a 1 = 5 m s2
4. C 2
5. (a) When a runner exerts a backward pushing
force against a starting block with his foot, the
reaction force exerted by the block acts on him
to push him forwards. In this way, the starting
block can help a runner accelerate.
Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise |9
(b) When the boxers ist hits the punch bag, the
ist exerts a force on the punch bag. At the
same time, the punch bag exerts a reaction
force on the ist which gives the boxer the feel
of pain.
6. (a) These two forces form an actionreaction pair,
and so they have the same magnitudes but are
in opposite directions.
(b) The mass of the bowling ball is much larger
than that of the pin. Although the pin and
the bowling ball experience forces of the
same magnitude, the pin has a much larger
acceleration. Hence, the pin bounces off but the
motion of the ball is almost unaffected.
7. dummy
Take the direction to the right as positive. Consider-
ing the forces acting on B only, by Newtons second
law, we have
6 F B by A = (2)(2) F B by A = 2 N
The force acting on B by A is 2N to the left.
Since the force acting on B by A and the force acting
on A by B form an actionreaction pair, the force
acting on A by B is 2 N to the right.
Chapter Exercise
Multiple-choice Questions (p.120)
1. C Only (1) and (3) could be the motion of the train.
The football in the train moves due to inertia.
Since the ball accelerates to the right in the train,
it implies that the train accelerates to the left.
2. B The displacement of the hammer is
s =* 0 + 1 at 2 = 1 at 2

ut
2
If the acceleration a decreases, then the time t
increases.
By W = mg , when g decreases, the force of gravity
(i.e. W ) experienced by the hammer decreases.
10 | Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise
3. C Only (1) and (3) will cause the string to break.
Take the upward direction as positive. Considering
the forces acting on the object, we have
T W = ma T = W + ma
If the acceleration a is positive (i.e. pointing
upwards), the tension T will increase and break the
string. Note that the acceleration points upwards
when the lift is moving downwards while slowing
down.
4. C As the object falls and accelerate, the weight of
the object remains unchanged but the air resistance
acting on it increases with its speed. When the air
resistance is large enough to balance the weight, the
speed of the object no longer increases, and so does
the air resistance.
5. D Note that the weight of the skydiver is the
gravitational force acting on him by the Earth.
6. D Statement (1) is correct but statement (2) is
incorrect. Since the cat is at rest, the weight of the
cat (i.e. the gravitational force acting on the cat by
the Earth) and the normal reaction acting on the cat
by the pillow balance each other and therefore have
the same magnitude.
Statement (3) is incorrect. Both the forces act on
the same object, i.e. the cat.
7. A Both statements (1) and (2) are correct. It is the
friction acting on the hook by the wall that balances
the weight of the hook and prevents the hook from
falling.
Statement (3) is incorrect. Both the forces act on
the same object, i.e. the hook.
8. B The free body diagram of Peter when he pushes
the table is as follows.
Peter is at rest, and so we have W = R + F . Since F
and F form an actionreaction pair and F = F , we
have W = R + F .
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises
9. A Since object A pushes object B forwards as it
moves, both objects move at the same velocity and
hence the same acceleration.
10. D Before the string breaks, the ball moves up with
a uniform speed. So the corresponding v t graph
shows a horizontal line above the t -axis.
After the string breaks, the ball continues to move
upwards due to inertia. But since its acceleration
points downwards (i.e. the acceleration due to
gravity), its velocity decreases until it reverses
direction of motion (i.e. v is momentarily zero). So
the answer is option D.
11. When the ball has zero velocity (i.e.momentarily
at rest) and is in contact on the pan, it experiences
its downward weight W and the upward normal
reaction R exerted by the pan, which is also the scale
reading.
At the next instant, the ball is bounced upwards. We
therefore know that it experiences an upward net
force when it is still in contact with the pan. Hence,
we have R > W .
12. D Statement (1) is correct. When the object is
moving up, the air resistance f is opposing its
motion and hence is acting downwards (i.e. in the
same direction as the weight W ). So F = W + f > W .
Statement (2) is correct. When the object reaches
the highest point, it is momentarily at rest and no air
resistance is acting on it. So F = W .
Statement (3) is correct. When the object is moving
down, the air resistance f is opposing its motion
and hence is acting upwards (i.e. in the opposite
direction as the weight W ). So F = W f < W .
13. B Free body diagram of the man on the balance:
The weight of the man is
W = mg = (50)(10) = 500 N
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise | 11

Take the downward direction as positive. By Structured Questions (p.122)

Newtons second law, we have
16. (a) dummy
W R = ma 500 R = 50a R = 500 50a

Statement (1) is incorrect. Between t = 0 and 3 s,

we should have
Take the forward direction as positive. By
F net = W R = 500 400 = 100 N F net = ma , we have

F 1500 = (1500)(4) (1M)

Statement (2) is incorrect. If the lift starts to move
F = 7500 N
upwards (i.e. a < 0), we should have R > 500 N.
Statement (3) is correct. If the lift is moving at So the driving force is 7500 N forward. (1A)

a constant velocity (i.e. a = 0), we should have

(b) The net force acting on the car must be zero for
R = 500 N.
it to move at a constant velocity. Therefore, a
14. A Let f be the friction acting on the block. forward driving force is needed to balance the
backward friction acting on the car. (1A)

Mathematically,

F = f = 1500 N

When the force F is less than the limiting friction The driving force at this stage is 1500 N
between the block and the surface, it is always forward. (1A)
balanced by the friction f . The block does not move,
(c) The velocity of the car before the brakes are
and so a = 0.
applied is
When the force F is larger than the limiting friction,
by Newtons second law, we have Fnet = F f = ma . v = u + at = 0 + (4)(4) = 16 m s1 (1M)

Since m and f are constant, a increases linearly

with increasing F . By Newtons second law, the acceleration of
the car is
15. A dummy
F net 1500
a= = = 1 m s2 (1M)
m 1500

By v 2 u 2 = 2as , we have

0 162 = 2(1)s s = 128 m

Therefore, the distance travelled by the car is

At the instant shown, there is no net force acting on 128 m . (1A)

the object, because it is moving at a constant speed. 17. (a) Take the forward direction as positive. By
So, the friction acting on the block is f = 10 N (to the v = u + at , we have
right).
If the 12 N force is removed, the friction f continues 2.4 = 0 + a(2) a = 1.2 m s2 (1M)

to oppose the motion of the block. Hence, the net

force acting on the block is By Newtons second law, we have

F net = 2 + 10 = 12 N F f = ma
30 f = (15)(1.2) (1M)

f = 12 N
12 | Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises

So the friction exerted on the trolley is 12 N By Newtons second law, we have

(backward). (1A)

After t = 2 s, the only force acting on the trolley mg f = ma

is the friction. By Newtons second law, we (1.631)(9.81) 9 = 1.631a

have a 4.29 m s2
F net 12
a= = = 0.8 m s2 (1M)
The acceleration of the stone is 4.29 m s2
m 15
downwards. (1A)

By v = u + at , we obtain
19. Suspend the spring with the mass holder attached to
0 = 2.4 + (0.8)T T = 3s (1A) its end, and measure the length of the spring . (1A)

Add one weight onto the mass holder at a time.

Measure the length of the extended spring x .
(b) New result obtained: Record ive sets of data. (1A)

Calculate the tension T (= mg ) in the spring, where

m is the total mass of the mass holder. (1A)

Plot a graph of the tension T against the extended

length x (= x ). (1A)

20. (a) By Newtons second law, we have

F = ma
Correct graph for t = 02 s: 1A
3 = 0.8a (1M)
Correct graph for t = 25 s: 1A
2
a = 3.75 m s
18. (a) Free body diagram of the stone:
The initial acceleration of the car is 3.75 m s2

forward. (1A)

(b) (i) When the speed of the car increases,

the air resistance acting on the car also
Correct arrows: 1A increases. (1A)

Correct labels: 1A
The net force acting on the car and hence
its acceleration therefore decrease. (1A)
(b) From the graph, when the stone falls at the
(ii) The air resistance acting on the car no
terminal speed of 40 m s1 , the air resistance
longer increases when it balances the
acting on the stone is 16 N. (1M)
thrust of the car. (1A)
When the stone falls at the terminal speed, At this stage, the net force acting on the car
the weight of the stone is balanced by the air becomes zero, and so does its acceleration.
resistance. So we have Hence, the car reaches a constant speed.
(1A)
mg = f
(c) (i) The velocity of the car decreases at a
m(9.81) = 16 (1M)
decreasing rate. (1A)
m = 1.631 1.63 kg
It eventually reaches a constant velocity.
(1A)
The mass of the stone is 1.63 kg . (1A)
(ii) At the moment when the parachute opens,
(c) From the graph, when the stone falls at a speed
the air resistance is much greater than the
of 30 m s1 , the air resistance acting on the
forward thrust. Hence, the velocity of the
stone is 9 N. (1M)
car decreases rapidly. (1A)

As the velocity of the car is greatly

reduced, the air resistance also decreases.
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise | 13

When the air resistance decreases to the (b) (i) dummy

extent that balances the thrust, the car
travels at a constant speed. (1A)

21. (a) At t = 20 s, the parachutist opens his parachute.

At t = 55 s, the parachutist reaches the ground
and comes to a stop. (1A)
Correct arrows: 1A
Forward thrust = 210 kN: 1A
(b) The speed of the parachutist increases. (1A)

(ii) The engine of Concorde pushes the air

But the rate of increase decreases with time.
backwards. (1A)
(1A)
By Newtons third law, the air exerts
(c) At both instants, the air resistance acting on a reaction force that pushes Concorde
the parachutist balances his weight. (1A)
forwards. (1A)

The net force acting on the parachutist Clarity of the answer: 1A

becomes zero, and so does his acceleration.
(c) Assume that air is an ideal gas. (1M)
Hence, his speed is constant. (1A)
By the kinetic theory equation, we have
(d) Displacement of the parachutist:
1
p = v rms 2 p v rms 2 (1M)
displacement = area under the graph (1A)
3

= (30)(5) = 150 m Also, as v rms 2 T , we have p T

p
T. (1M)

The distance travelled by the parachutist

Denoting the situation at take-off with the
during t = 2555 s is 150 m . (1A)
subscript t and that at cruising with the
22. (a) (i) Converting the speed into SI units, we have subscript c, we have
pt
380 t
380 km h1 = = 105.6 m s1 =
Tt
3.6 pc
c Tc
Take the forward direction as positive. By (p t )(Tc )
=
v 2 u 2 = 2as , we have (p c )(Tt )
(101)(223)
( ) = (1M)
105.62 0 = 2a 1.7 103 (1M) (8)(298)

a = 3.280 3 m s2 9.45

The acceleration of a Concorde was about The ratio of the density of air at take-off to that
3 m s2 . (1A)
at crushing height is 9.45:1 . (1A)

(ii) By Newtons second law, we have 23. (a) The volume of the disc is

F = ma = (85)(3.280) 279 N (1M) V = r 2 h

( )2 ( )
= 15 103 5 103
So the average forward push on the
passenger is 279 N . (1A)
= 3.534 106 m3 (1M)

(iii) When a Concorde lands, it has already

By = m
V , the mass of the disc is
consumed a lot of fuel, and so its mass is
much less than that when it takes off. ( )
m = V = (8900) 3.534 106
(1A)

By Newtons second law, when the mass

of Concorde decreases, its acceleration = 3.145 102 kg (1M)

increases (in magnitude). (1A)

The weight of the disc is
( )
W = mg = 3.145 102 (9.81) = 0.309 0.3 N (1M)
14 | Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise
(b) (i) An object remains at rest or moves at a
constant velocity,
if there is no net force acting on it.
(ii) P = Q = 0.3 N
X =Y = 0.6 N
(iii) magnitude of F = 0.3 N
direction of F = upwards
type of force = gravitational
object upon which F acts = Earth
24. (a) Free body diagram of the bottle:
Weight: 1A
Normal reaction: 1A
(b) The force of gravity pulls the bottle down.
The bottle pushes down on the table, so by
Newtons third law, the table pushes up with
an equal and opposite force.
According to Newtons irst law, if the forces
are balanced, the bottle is either at rest or in
uniform motion.
25. (a) Frictional force acting on the parcel:
Correct arrow: 1A
(b) Sketch of the forcetime graph:
Correct graphs: 2A
(c) The acceleration of the parcel is
acceleration = slope of the graph
36 0
= (1M)
30 0
= 1.2 m s2
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises
By Newtons second law, we have
(1A)
(1A) F net = ma = (15)(1.2) = 18 N
(1A)
The magnitude of the net force is 18 N . (1A)
(1A)
(1A)
(d) The distance travelled by the train is
(1A)
distance = area under the curve
(1A)
(120 + 210)(36)
(1A) = (1M)
2
= 5940 m (1A)
26. (a) When the car decelerates suddenly, the
pendulum has the tendency to stay in motion
due to inertia, and so it continues to swing
forwards. (1A)
(b) When the car decelerates suddenly, passengers
tend to keep their original motion and move
forwards due to their inertia. (1A)
Passengers wearing seat belts may be secured
on their seats, but those who do not may
hit the dashboard or windscreen and suffer
(1A) serious injuries. (1A)
(c) When the car is hit from behind, the car
experiences a forward force and accelerates
(2A) suddenly. Since the passengers have the
tendency to remain at rest due to inertia, they
may hit hard on the seats. (1A)
The headrest protects passengers from
suffering serious neck injuries. (1A)
Shoot-the-stars Questions (p.126)
1. B Take the downward direction as positive. Let h
be the height at which the ball falls when the lift is
stationary. By s = ut + 12 at 2 , we have
1 1
h = 0+ g t2 = g t2
2 2
Let t be the time of travel of the ball in the air when
the lift is moving downwards at a constant speed
u . The ball travels with the speed u before it is
released.
During a time interval t , the lift moves downwards
for a distance of ut , and the ball travels for a
distance of h + ut . So we have
 =  + 1 g t 2 h = 1 g t 2 t = t
h +
ut ut
2 2
Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises Chapter 6 Force Chapter Exercise | 15

2. A Due to inertia, both the bottle and the water By Newtons second law, we have
inside the bottle will slide backward. The water
level will remain horizontal. F f = ma F = ma + f F = ma + kv

3. B When the box moves at its terminal speed, the

When t = 0T , the acceleration of the car is a
spring balance and the object experience no net
constant of a = a and its velocity is v = a t ,
force. So R = mg .
therefore we have
4. D Free body diagram of the ping-pong ball:
F = ma + ka t

This part of the graph shows a straight line with a

slope of ka and a y intercept ma .
When t > T , the acceleration of the car is zero (i.e.
Take the upward direction as positive. The accelera- a = 0), and its velocity is a constant of v = a T . So,
tion of the ball is
F = 0 + kv = ka T
mg f f
a= = g
m m This part of the graph shows a horizontal straight
As the ball decelerates, the air resistance f acting line with F = ka T .
on the ball decreases, and so does the acceleration Refer to the following graph.
(i.e. change in velocity v ). The slope of the v t graph
decreases with time. So option D is correct.

5. C Given that the air drag f is proportional to the

speed v of the car, we have f = kv , where k is a

constant.