Dunman High School (Senior High)

Topic 4 Solutions: Forces 2019

Self Attempt Questions

1. C

2. B

3. (a) When the boat is in equilibrium,

By principle of Floatation:
U = msg
= 1.2  107(9.81)
= 1.18  108 N

(b) By Archimedes’s Principle:

U = ρwVdisplacedg = 1.18  108
(1000)Vdisplaced(9.81) = 1.18  108
Vdisplaced = 1.20  104 m3
Volume of boat below the water line = Vdisplaced = 1.20  104 m3

4. (a)
U U1

h1
W
W + WC
A = 1500 m2
By the Principle of Floatation:
U = W ----- (1) U1 = W + WC ----- (2)

Substituting (1) into (2):

U1 = U + Wc
U1 - U = Wc
ρf (Ah1)g = 7.50  105(9.81)
7.50 105 (9.81)
h1 
1000 1500  9.81
= 0.500 m

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 (b)
U U2

h2
W
W + WC
A = 1500 m2
By the Principle of Floatation:
U = W ----- (1) U2 = W + WC ----- (2)

Substituting (1) into (2):

U2 = U + Wc
U2 - U = Wc
ρs(Ah2)g = 7.50  105(9.81)

Density of SeaWater 
Since  S  1.025   S  1.025  f
Density of Fresh Water  f

7.50 105 (9.81)

h2 
1.025 1000 1500  9.81
= 0.488 m

5. Weight of ship, W  m S g   S VS g
Upthrust on ship in water, U   waterVdisplaced g

For the ship to float

U=W
 waterVdisplaced g   S VS g
 waterVdisplaced   S VS
If ρw < ρs, then Vdisplaced > Vs. Thus the ship cannot float if Vdisplaced < VS
or Vdisplaced = VS.

Hence, in order for the ship to float, the steel can be shaped such that the ship
displaces sufficient volume of water such that the weight of water displaced
produces an upthrust that is equal in magnitude to the weight of the ship.

6. (a) kA = 6.0 N m-1

kB = 3.0 N m-1
Tension in A and B = 0.6 N.

Extension in spring A = (0.6 / 6) = 0.10 m

Extension in spring B = (0.6 / 3) = 0.20 m

(b) Total extension = 0.20 + 0.10 = 0.30 m

Hence, the effective spring constant of A and B = (0.60 / 0.3) = 2.0 N m-1.

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7. (a)(i) F is directed vertically upward.

(ii) Suppose that a horizontal surface of area A is

placed at a depth d below the liquid surface.
The pressure on the surface is due to the weight
of the column of liquid above acting on the
surface.
Pressure p due to the liquid at the depth d is:
weight of column (mass of fluid) g
p 
Area of surface A
(Volume of fluid)g (dA)g
   dg
Area of surface A

(iii) Upward force on the lower surface of the block, F = pA = (dg)A = (dA)g.
Since (dA) is equal to the volume V of liquid displaced by the block, F = Vg.

(b)(i) F = Vg = (6.5  10 2 )(1.03  10 3 )(9.81)  657 N

(ii) The buoy is in translational equilibrium.

Considering only the vertical forces,  Fy  0 (taking upward as positive)

F y  F  W  T  0 , where T is the tension in the rope and W is the weight of

the buoy.
T  F  W  657  (6.0)(9.81)  598 N = 600 N (2.s.f.)

8. A
Assume that the lower end of the straw is just below the liquid surface.
The child can lower the air pressure in the straw to only 0.90p0.

Let the maximum length of the column of liquid in the straw be h.

Applying “Δp = gh” to the column of liquid, where Δp is the difference in pressure
between the top and bottom of the column of liquid.
Δp = gh
Pressure at bottom – pressure at top = gh
p0 - 0.9p0 = gh
0.10p0 = gh
p0
h
10g
p0
So, the maximum length of the straw is .
10g

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9. Method 1

Let the spring constant of each spring be k.

In the first case, the downward force on each spring is W / 3.
So, the spring constant is given by:
W W
 kx  k
3 3x
In the second case, the force on each spring is (2W) / 2 = W
Extension e is given by:
W W
W  ke  e   3x
k W / (3x)
Method 2

Let the spring constant of each spring be k.

Using the formula for parallel springs,

In the first case, keff = k1 + k2 + k3 = k + k + k = 3k

Using Hooke’s Law, “F1 = k1x1”

W = 3kx ---------------- (1)

In the second case, keff = k1 + k2 = k + k = 2k

Using Hooke’s Law, “F2 = k2x2”

2W = 2kx2 ---------------- (2)
Sub (1) into (2)
2(3kx) = 2kx2
x2 = 3x

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10. Method 1
Let k be the spring constant of the spring.
F 20
By Hooke’s Law, k   2
 1000 N m 1
x 2.0 10
Elastic potential energy (PE) stored in the spring when it is compressed by
3.0 cm:
1 2 1
U kx  (1000)(0.030) 2  0.45 J
2 2
When the toy reaches its maximum height h above its point of release,
Gain in gravitational PE = Loss in elastic PE
mgh = 0.45 J  h = 0.917 m

h s

x = 0.030 m

Position 1 Position 2 Position 3

(At maximum compression) (when toy just leaves spring) (At maximum height)

Method 2

Energy conversion from Position 1 to Position 2:

Gain in GPE + Gain in KE = Loss in EPE
mgx + ½mu2 = ½kx2
(0.050)(9.81)(0.030) + ½(0.050)u2 = ½(1000)(0.030)2
u = 4.17 m s-1 (upwards) where u is the velocity of the toy which just leaves the
spring.

Using equation of motion between Position 2 and Position 3,

Taking upwards as positive,
v2 = u2 + 2as
02 = (4.17)2 + 2(-9.81)s
s = 0.886 m

h = x + s = 0.030 + 0.886 = 0.916 m

11. For equilibrium,

 Fx  0 and  Fy  0
30sin350 + 50cos400 + (-40cos250) + R x = 0
R x = -19.26 N
0 0 0
30cos35 + (-50sin40 ) + (-40sin25 ) + R y = 0
R y = +24.47 N
Hence, the force R has a component of 19.26 N in the negative x direction and a
component of 24.47 N in the positive y direction.

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12. (a) Perpendicular distance between the couple, d = 0.300sin50o
Hence anticlockwise torque of the couple = Fd
= 2.0(0.300sin50o)
= 0.460 N m
(b)(i)
2.0 N
Maximum torque = 2(0.300)
= 0.600 N m anticlockwise

2.0 N
(ii) 2.0 N
Minimum torque = 0 N m
2.0 N
13. Method 1:
Let the tension in the section PQ be T1 and the tension in the section QR be T2.

T2
T1

For translational equilibrium, Fx  0 and F y  0.

F y 0 F x 0
(taking upward as positive) (taking leftward as positive)
T2 sin 30  W  0 T1  T2 cos 30  0
T2  2W T1  T2 cos 30  (2W ) cos 30  1.73W

Method 2: T2
Let the tension in the section PQ be T1 W
and the tension in the section QR be T2.

tan 30 = W / T1 T1
T1 = 1.73W

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14. R is the resultant force of P and Q as shown in the vector
diagram on the right. To maintain equilibrium at X, F must be
applied as shown to balance R. So, answer is A.

Note: The force diagram in

answer A shows F, Q and P
forming a closed triangle when
connecting from heads to tails,
indicating equilibrium.

F
15. Method1:
N T Using sine rule:
T
T (2.00)(9.81)


sin 20 sin 120
T  7.75 N
W

W N

Method 2:
Let x represent the direction along the slope; as positive.
Let y represent the direction perpendicular to the slope; as positive.

For translational equilibrium, Fx  0 and F y  0.

F x 0 F y 0
T cos 30  W sin 20  0 N  T sin 30  W cos 20  0
W sin 20 N  14.6 N
T  7.75 N
cos 30

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16. (a) T
Fdiver on board

P
G C

B
Wboard

(b) As the diving board is in equilibrium,   0   M Every Point 0

Taking moments about B,

Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment
R(2) = 60(9.81)(2.5) + 50  9.81(6.0)
R = 2207 N

Taking moments about P,

Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment
T(2) = 60  9.81(0.5) + 50  9.81(4.0)
T = 1128 N

17. (a) X: Resultant of normal contact force and frictional force by wall on ladder. Friction
is upwards as ladder tends to slide down.
Y: Resultant of normal contact force and frictional force by ground on ladder.
Friction is to the right as ladder is sliding down and to the left.
W: Gravitational force of Earth on ladder called the weight.

(b)

X X

W
Y

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 (c) Using the cosine rule,
X2 = W2 + Y2 - 2WYcos200 X
X2 = 2002 + 1502 - 2(200)(150)cos200 θ
X = 78.2 N
20 Y = 150 N
W = 200o N
70o

18. (a) Considering the free body of the picture:

Considering forces acting along the vertical axis:
Since in equilibrium, 25 N 25 N
2(25)sinα = 5 α
α = 5.74o

5N

(b) 2Tsinα = weight of picture = 5 N

So when the tension T = breaking tension which is the maximum tension, sinα and
hence α will be a minimum.
{This is a minimum value as when α gets smaller, the tension will be greater than
25 N which will break the cord.}

Mathematical Proof
2Tsinα = 5
5
T=  25
2sin 
sinα  0.10
a  5.739

19. For translational equilibrium, one of the conditions is

 Fy  0 (taking upward as positive)

In the first case,

F y  2(T sin 45 )  W  0

W 5.0
T 
  3.54 N < breaking strength 25 N.
2 sin 45 2 sin 45
The cord does not break.

In the second case,

F y 2(T sin 5 )  W  0
W 5.0
T 
  28.7 N > breaking strength 25 N.
2 sin 5 2 sin 5 
So, the cord breaks even though it is supporting a load less than its breaking
strength.

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20. (a) Tension T Reaction R by
hinge on beam

force by bear
on beam weight of force by goodies
beam on beam

(b) Take moments about the hinge,

700(1) + 200(3) + 80(6) = T(6sin600)

T = 343 N

At the hinge,
Rx = Tcos600 = 172 N
Ry + Tsin600 = 700 + 200 + 80
Ry = 683 N

(c) Let the maximum distance be y

Take moments about the hinge,
700(y) + 200(3) + 80(6) ≤ 900(6sin600)
y ≤ 5.14 m

21. Let  be the angle at which the rule hangs.

Let W be the approximate weight of the shorter arm.
Then the approximate weight of the longer arm is 2W.

Since the rule is in equilibrium (taking moments about the peg),

By Principle of Moments,
Clockwise moments = Anti-clockwise moments
L 
(2W )( L sin  )  W  cos  
2 
1
tan  
4
 = 14.0

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Data Analysis Question

22. (a) The bridge will be better as the load of the structure and traffic will be distributed
amongst the cables instead of being concentrated on a cable.

(b) Maximum total mass = 3.5  105 + 2.9  105 + 6.8  104
= 7.08  105 kg

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(c) Mass of 10 m of roadway =  3.5  105 kg
100
= 3.5  104 kg
10
Mass of traffic on 10 m of roadway =  2.9  105 kg
100
= 2.9  104 kg

4.5 22.5
(d) tan θ = OR tan θ =
10 50
 4.5   22.5 
θ = tan-1   OR θ = tan-1  
 10   50 

= 24.2o

(e)
T N

24.2 o

W
(f) Tsinθ = N + W
Tcosθ = R

N + W 2.9×10 4 ×9.81+ 3.5×10 4 ×9.81

(g) T= =
sin θ sin 24.20

= 1.53  106 N

(h) The bridge will vibrate with maximum amplitude when the driving frequency
matches the natural frequency of the bridge. This phenomenon is known as
resonance.

The possible external sources which can provide the driving frequency are:
(i) soldiers matching across the bridge,
(ii) vehicles moving across the bridge,
(iii) wind blowing on the bridge,
(iv) movement of Earth caused by earthquake in Sumatra or Java.

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 5 PL3
(i) d
384EI

5(4.7  10 6 )(100) 3
=
384(8  1011 )(15)
= 0.005 m
= 5 mm

Challenging Questions

23. Since the ice is floating, by the principle of floatation:

𝑈𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑐𝑒 = 𝑊𝑖𝑐𝑒
𝜌𝑤 𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑔 = 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑔
𝜌𝑤 𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑒

When the ice has fully melted, 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑒 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑐𝑒

Hence,
𝜌𝑤 𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑐𝑒
𝜌𝑤 𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 𝜌𝑤 𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑐𝑒
𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑐𝑒

Thus the water level in the beaker remains the same.

24. Considering the situation just before the dam topples:

As the block is in equilibrium, 9m

  0   M Every Point  0
Taking moments about point A,
Anticlockwise moment = Clockwise moment CG Fav
20 m h
h 9
Fav    W  
2 2 ½h
W
h 9 A
Pave A   CVC g  
2 2
 h h 9
 W g   lh     C  20  9  l  g  
 2 2 2
h3 9
1000(9.81) l  2200  20  9  l  (9.81)    h  19.2m
4 2
h = 19.2 m

Since water pressure, P at a depth h is given by P = ρgh, the water pressure acting on
the dam may be assumed to increase linearly with h, as the density of the water does
not change significantly within a small variation of depth.

As such, the average force due to the water pressure will not act at mid-depth, but for
this case of a triangular pressure distribution, it acts at ⅓ depth from the base.

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Thus the overturning moment on the dam due to the water pressure assumed in (b) is
an overestimate and the height of the water calculated in (b) is an underestimate.

Pressure Distribution

h
Average
Force
⅓h

For the same volume of concrete to be used, the design as shown below would be more
efficient as
1) the restoring moment arm of the weight of the dam about point A would be larger.
2) the overturning moment arm of the water pressure about point A would be smaller,
as compared to the rectangular design.

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