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VECTORS IN TWO DIMENSIONS

Activity 1.1 (Resultant of vectors)
1. A car travels 40 km due North and then 24 km due East.
1.1. Graphically find the resultant displacement by using the head-to-tail method
(triangle method).
1.2. Prove that the answer is correct, using an appropriate calculation.
2. A fisherman in a boat first sails 3 km due South from the harbour, then he sails 4 km
due East and then 2 km 450 N of E. Use a scale diagram to answer the following
questions:
2.1. How far is the fisherman from the harbour after these movements?
2.2. In which direction should he sail to get back to the harbour in a straight line?
3. A ranger following the trail of a pride of lions, walks 10 km on a bearing of 30 0. He
then walks 7 km on a bearing of 1200.
The ranger now contacts his base per radio and asks them to send a helicopter to
come and pick him up. Use an accurate scale diagram to determine the distance and
direction that the helicopter must travel to reach the ranger.
4. A frog hops 6 times: twice towards the +y direction, once to the +x direction, once
toward the +y direction again and twice toward the -x direction. Each hop covers a
distance of 35 cm. What is the frog’s displacement?
Use the tail-to-head method.
5. Force A has a magnitude of 48 N and is directed towards the -x direction. Force B has
the same magnitude and is directed towards the -y direction. Force C has a magnitude
of 36 N and is directed towards the +y direction. Use the tail-to-tail method to
calculate the magnitude and direction of:
5.1. A + B
5.2. 2A - B + C
6. Several tugboats are trying to manoeuvre a
submarine in the Harbour, but they are not working
as a team. Each tugboat is exerting a different force
on the submarine.
Given the following force vectors, determine the
resultant force:
• F1 = 3,4 kN in the positive x-direction
• F2 = 4000 N in the positive y-direction
• F3 = 300 N in the negative y-direction
• F4 = 7 kN in the negative y-direction

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Activity 1.2 (Three forces in equilibrium)

1. The diagram shows three forces F1, F2 and F3 acting upon an object.

1.1. What do you know about the resultant force acting on the object?
1.2. Draw a force diagram to show how the forces act on the object. All angles must
be indicated clearly.
2. The forces in the diagram are exerted on point O. Use an
accurate scale diagram to determine if the forces are in
equilibrium.

3. An object with a weight w is suspended from two strings

attached to the wall and ceiling as shown in the diagram.
The tension in the ropes are T1 and T2. T2 = 80 N.
3.1. Draw a force diagram to represent the forces acting
on the object in equilibrium.
3.2. Calculate the weight of the object using an accurate
scale diagram.
4. A pot plant with mass 15 kg is suspended by a system consisting
of a light beam and hinges at A, connected to O and another
rope from O to the wall B, as shown in the diagram.
4.1. Calculate the weight of the pot plant.
4.2. Draw a force diagram to indicate all the forces acting on
the pot plant O. (Include possible angles).
4.3. Determine, by using the head-to-tale-method:
4.3.1. The force exerted by the beam (A) on O.
4.3.2. The tension in the rope (B) to the wall.

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Activity 1.3 (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. Which ONE of the following does not fit with the rest?
A Time
B Acceleration
C Speed
D Distance
2. P, Q and R are co-linear vectors. Which ONE of the following statements, according to
the vectors, is correct?
A R=P-Q
B Q=P+R
C P=Q+R
D Q=P-R
3. Study the following diagram. Which ONE of the vector equations describe the
situation?
A F1 + F 2 + F 3 = F 4
B F2 + F 4 + F 3 = F 1
C F2 + F 4 + F 1 = F 3
D F1 + F 4 + F 3 = F 2
4. A girl walks 4 km due East and then 3 km due West. Her displacement and distance
respectively, are:
A 1 km East and 7 km
B 3 km West and 4 km
C 4 km East and 3 km
D 7 km West and 1 km
5. Three vectors of magnitudes of 30, 40 and 50 units are added together. Which ONE of
the following cannot be the magnitude of the resultant?
A 0
B 55
C 90
D 130
6. Which ONE of the following displacements
represents the resultant displacement?
A P C R
B Q D S

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7. Two force vectors are acting on the same point. The magnitude of their minimum
resultant is 2, while the magnitude of their maximum resultant is 12. The magnitudes
of the two vectors are:
A 4 and 8 C 5 and 7
B 2 and 12 D 4 and 2
8. A student walks 4 km due north in one hour and then 3 km due
West in the next hour. What is the resultant displacement after 2
hours?
A 7,0 km
B 5,0 km, 3230
C 2,5 km, 370
D 5 km 3230
9. In which ONE of the following vector diagrams is the resultant of the three vectors
zero?

Use the diagram to answer questions 10 -

10. The direction of vector OE, is:
A on a bearing of 300
B on a bearing of 600
C 300 north of west
D on a bearing of 3300
11. Which ONE of the arrows has the direction 300
South from East?
A 0C C OD
B 0B D OE
12. Which ONE of the following directions is not valid for 0D?
A 600 W from E
B 600 W from S
C 300 S from W
D on a bearing of 2400

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Activity 1.4 (Components of vectors)

1. Calculate the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical components of a force of 500 N
pulling upwards at an angle of 400 with the horizontal.
2. Calculate the x and y components of a force of 280 N on a bearing of 2050
3. Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of a force of
350 N pushing downwards at an angle of 550.

4. Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of a force of

350 N pushing downwards at an angle of 550.
Activity 1.5 (Multiple choice questions)
1. A block of mass 4 kg is being pulled over a horizontal surface by a constant force of
100 N at 300 with the horizontal.
The x component of the force, in newton, is:
A 40
B 100
C 100cos300
D 100sin300
2. A block of mass 4 kg is being pulled over a horizontal surface by a constant force of
100 N at 300 with the horizontal. (Refer to diagram in question 1)
The y component of the force, in newton, is:
A 40 C 86,60
B 100 D 50
3. Force A has a magnitude of 60 N. The horizontal and
vertical components of force A, are:
A 38,57 N and 45,96 N
B 38,57 N and 21,43 N
C 45,96 N and 38,57 N
D 45,96 N and 14,03 N
4. The following pair of numbers represents the x and y
components of a vector: 15cos300; -15cos600. The magnitude and direction of the
vector is respectively:
A 15; 300 below the positive x axis
B 15; 300 above the positive x axis
C 15; 600 below the positive x axis
D 15; 600 above the positive x axis

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5. The diagram represents a bird flying on a bearing

of 450. The axis along which the component of its
velocity is zero, is
A AA
B BB
C CC
D DD
6. The weight of an object, with mass 2 500 kg, is:
A 2 500 N C 255,10
B 24 500 N D 25 000
7. A wooden block of mass m is in rest on a slope inclined at angle 𝜃. Which ONE of the
following expressions represents the magnitude of the component of the weight
parallel to the slope?
A msin𝜃
B mcos𝜃
C mgsin𝜃
D mgcos𝜃
8. A wooden block of mass m is in rest on a slope inclined at angle 𝜃. Which ONE of the
following expressions represents the magnitude of the component of the weight
perpendicular to the slope? (Use diagram for question 7)
A msin𝜃
B mcos𝜃
C mgsin𝜃
D mgcos𝜃
9. A toy car with a mass 0f 0,8 kg is stationary on a slope inclined at 25 0 with the
horizontal. The magnitude of the force exerted by the car perpendicular to the slope,
is:
A 7,11 N
B 0,73 N
C 3,31 N
D 0,34 N
10. A toy car with a mass 0f 0,8 kg is stationary on a slope
inclined at 250 with the horizontal. The magnitude of the force exerted by the car
parallel to the slope, is: (Use diagram for question 9)
A 7,11 N C 3,31 N
B 0,73 N D 0,34 N

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Activity 2.1
Draw force diagrams to represent all the forces that are active in each of the following
situations. Use appropriate symbols to represent the forces.
1. A frictional force of 15 N is present in the diagram.

2. A frictional force is present, and the object is moving at

constant velocity to the right.

3. The crate is sliding down on a rough surface at

constant velocity.

Draw free body diagrams to represent all the forces that are active in each of the
following situations. Use appropriate symbols to represent the forces.
4. The crate is sliding down a frictionless slope.

5. Force F is applied to pull the crate upwards against a

rough slope at constant velocity.

Draw the blocks in the following objects separate and indicate ALL the forces acting on
each with a free body diagram.
6. Block A, on a rough surface, is joined by a string to block
B. The string is passed over a frictionless pulley. The
system moves to the right at constant speed.

7. Block P and Q accelerates to the left. Friction is present.

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8. There is no friction present in the system shown.

9.

Activity 2.2
1. A wooden box has a weight of 98 N. The coefficient of static friction between the box
and the floor is 0,6 and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0,45.
1.1. Determine the magnitude of the force that Peter needs to apply to the box to be
able to move the box across the horizontal surface.
1.2. Determine the dynamic (kinetic friction) on the box when it is moving.
1.3. Peter’s little brother, who has a weight of 140 N, gets onto the box, and he
pushes him around the room. What is the magnitude of the frictional force on
the box now?
1.4. Explain why Peter needs to exert less force to keep the box moving than he does
to move it when it is standing still.
2. Peter now pushes the box (without his brother on it) onto a slope that has a 150
incline. The coefficient of static friction between the box and the slope is 0,4.
2.1. Calculate the maximum static frictional force between the box and the slope.
2.2. Will the box slide down the slope if Peter lets it go? Use a calculation to justify
your answer.
3. A cement block, mass 15 kg, is pulled across the floor with a
force of 100 N, that makes an angle of 150 with the
horizontal.
The kinetic coefficient of friction is 0,4.
3.1. Calculate the kinetic frictional force between the block
and the floor.
3.2. Determine the net force acting on the block.

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Activity 2.3 (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. The graph represents the frictional force acting on
an object. Which symbol represents the maximum
static friction?
A A
B B
C C
D D
2. Which symbol represents the maximum static
friction? (Use the graph in Q1)
A A
B B
C C
D D
3. Which symbol represents the kinetic friction? (Use the graph in Q1)
A A C C
B B D D
4. A 1 kg wooden block is stationary on a desktop. The coefficient of friction for the two
surfaces, 𝜇𝑠 is 0,2. The magnitude of the normal force experienced by the block, is:
A 1 kg
B 1 N
C 9,8 N
D 9,8 kg
5. The coefficient of friction for the two surfaces, 𝜇𝑠 is 0,2. The maximum static frictional
force, is:
A 0,2 N
B 1,96 N
C 19,6 N
D 0,98 N
6. The kinetic coefficient of friction for the two surfaces, 𝜇𝑘 is 0,19. The kinetic frictional
force, is:
A 1,86 N
B 0,19 N
C 1N
D 0,98 N

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7. A 1 kg wooden block is stationary on a desktop. 𝜇𝑠 is 0,2 and 𝜇𝑘 = 0,19. What is the

magnitude of the frictional force if the applied force on the block is 0,5 N?
A 1,96 N
B 0,5 N
C 9,8 N
D 9,8 kg
8. A toy car with a mass of 2 kg is stationary on a slope
inclined at 300 with the horizontal. The magnitude of
the weight of the car, is:
A 9,8 N
B 20 N
C 2N
D 19,6 N

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Activity 2.4 (Forces in Equilibrium)

1. Use a scale diagram to determine the resultant of the following force vectors: 10 N on
a bearing of 900 and 6 N on a bearing of 300.
2. Use the component method to find the magnitude and direction of the resultant of
the following force vectors: 120 N 900; 160 N, 1800; 410 N, 00; 60 N, 2700
3. A lawnmower is pushed with a force of 350 N that is
exerted at an angle of 650 with the horizontal. The weight
of the lawnmower is 120 N and it experiences a frictional
force of 90 N.
3.1. Use the component method to determine the
resultant force acting on the lawnmower.
4. Three forces F1, F2 and F3 are shown in the diagram by using
the head to tail method.

4.1. Write a vector equation to represent the forces acting on the object.
4.2. Draw a diagram to indicate how the forces act on the object. Indicate the
magnitude of as many angles as possible.
4.3. F1 = 27,5 N and F2 = 40 N
Determine the magnitude and direction of F3.
5. An object with a weight Fg is suspended from two strings
attached to the wall and ceiling as shown in the diagram. The
tension in the strings is T1 and T2. The magnitude of T2 = 80 N.
5.1. Draw a free body diagram to represent ALL the forces
acting on the object.
5.2. Use the component method to determine the magnitude of
the tension T1 and the weight of the object

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6. An object, weight 30 N, hanging from a light rope T, is pulled with a horizontal force to
the right, so that it is in equilibrium (see diagram). The rope
makes an angle of 400 with the vertical.
6.1. Represent all the forces acting on point O, with a free
body diagram. Indicate the magnitude of all the
possible angles.
6.2. Draw a vector diagram (head to tail) to indicate the
force vectors.
6.3. Use the component method to calculate the magnitude
of the tension, T, in the rope and the force F.
7. The diagram shows three forces A, B and C that are in equilibrium and act upon point
R. A is connected to a 4 kg block that is stationary on a rough surface.
7.1. Represent the forces by using the head to tail method.
7.2. The frictional force on the 4 kg block is 12 N. Calculate the maximum weight that
can maintain equilibrium.
8. An object, weight 2 100 N, is kept in
equilibrium by forces T1 and T2
respectively.
Use a scale diagram to determine the
magnitude of T1 and T2.

Activity 2.5 (Multiple choice Questions)

1. A boy applies a force F to a
crate. The crate moves at
constant velocity v.
The crate is turned on its end,
reducing the surface area in
contact with the floor by half.
The boy pushes the crate with the same velocity v. The force he now applies is:
1
A 2
F
B F
C 2F
D 4F

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2. Three pieces of string are joined with a knot. A and B are

attached to the roof and a mass piece is attached to C, as in
the diagram.
The sum of the vertical components of the tensions in A and B
is:
A Greater than the weight of the object
B Less than the weight of the object
C Equal to the weight of the object
D Equal to the horizontal components of A and B.
3. Two forces with magnitudes of 20 N each acting at the same point have a resultant
with magnitude of 20 N if the angle between the two forces are equal to:
A 600
B 900
C 1200
D 1800
4. P, Q and R are three forces acting at point O, which are in
equilibrium. Which ONE of the following statements about
the forces is not true?
A Any two of the forces is the resultant of the other
two.
B The vector sum of all three forces is zero.
C The three forces act in the same plane.
D The resultant of P, Q and R is zero.
5. Three forces keep an object in equilibrium. If the force of 9
N is suddenly removed, the magnitude of the resultant force
on the object, will be:
A 2N
B 5N
C 7N
D 9N
6. The magnitude of the angle between F3 and the resultant of F1 and F2, is:
A 00
B 600
C 900
D 1800

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7. The resultant of F1 and F3, is:

A Zero
B -F2
C F2
D F1 - F3
E
8. AB and AD are two forces which act at the same point and are represented by using
the tail-to-tail method. ABCD represents a parallelogram. The resultant force will be
given by:
A AC
B DC
C CA
D DB
9. A 40 kg mass hangs from a beam by means of two strings, as
shown in the diagram. The force that keeps the mass in
equilibrium, is:
A ON
B 392 N downwards
C 392 N upwards
D Impossible to calculate because the angles and
tension in the strings are not given.
10. The diagram shows a girl, sitting on a swing that is kept
stationary by her brother that is exerting a force of 250 N to
the right.
Which ONE of the following diagrams represents the forces
acting on the seat while it is in static equilibrium?

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11. Objects P, Q and R hang from strings knotted together at

point A, as shown in the diagram. The forces in the three
strings, F1, F2 and F3 keep the system in equilibrium.
Which vector diagram best represents the relationship
between the forces acting on the knot?

12. Which arrangement of co-planar forces, shown in the diagrams, will keep point P in
equilibrium?

13. An object with a weight w is stationary on a plane inclined at an angle 𝜃.

What is the magnitude of the frictional force experienced
by the object?
A wsin𝜃
B wcos𝜃
C wtan𝜃
𝑤
D 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

14. Four forces act on a point as indicated in the

diagram. The magnitude and direction of the force
needed to keep the system in equilibrium, is:
A 3 N, 00
B 3 N, 900
C 3 N, 1800
D 3 N, 2700

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15. The diagram shows an object with a weight of 50 N,

suspended by a light strut hinged at B and a light cord tied at
C and to the wall at A.
Choose the CORRECT statement.
A The tension in cord AC is 50 N
B The tension in cord AC is less than 50 N.
C The vertical component of the force exerted by the cord
on C is equal to 50 N upwards.
D The vector sum of the three forces acting on point C is 50 N

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Activity 2.6 (Newton’s First Law of Motion)

1. Define each of the following:
1.1. Newton’s first law
1.2. A net force
1.3. Inertia
2. During the December holidays, the Nelson family visited Cape Town. Peter and his dad
made turns to drive the car. They left on a rainy morning and the road was wet and
slippery. Peter found it difficult to steer the car around a corner, because the car did
not turn at all.
2.1. Name the law of motion that can be used to explain why the car does not
respond to the steering.
2.2. What is needed to make the car go around the corner?
2.3. Discuss changes that can be made to the car’s tyres to ensure that the car will
follow a curve in the road? Explain your answer.
3. A brick hangs from a beam on a piece of string (A), as shown in the
diagram. A similar piece of string (B) is tied to the bottom of the
brick and allowed to hang freely. Describe and explain what will
happen if string B:
3.1. Is tugged quickly
3.2. Is pulled slowly.

4. A coin, on a piece of cardboard, is placed over the opening of

a bottle as shown in the diagram.
Describe and explain what will happen if the cardboard is
flicked away from the top of the bottle.

5. One of the students in your Physical Sciences class

wants to demonstrate the property of matter, called
inertia.
5.1. Explain how she should use the tablecloth,
plates, and glasses to demonstrate inertia.
5.2. Which Newton law is related to the above-
mentioned property?

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6. A small metal sphere hangs from a string attached to the

roof of a railway carriage travelling on a horizontal rail.
How can you deduce from the behaviour of the apparatus
if the carriage?
6.1. Accelerates in the direction of its motion.
6.2. Moves slower.
6.3. Travels at constant velocity.
7. The driver of a delivery van (almost empty), which is travelling at 18 m∙s-1, has to make
an emergency stop. He applies the brakes.
7.1. Explain how a loose object in the back of the van, reacts to the emergency stop.
7.2. Which property of matter is illustrated by the observation in 7.1?
8.
8.1. Explain why it is important for ALL the passengers in a car to wear seatbelts.
8.2. Name the law that would apply if passengers don’t wear seatbelts.
9. A boy on frictionless roller skates are stationary on the back of a truck that is moving
eastwards at constant velocity of 10 km∙h-1.
9.1. In which direction and at what speed must the boy move, relative to the truck,
so that he remains stationary relative to the ground?
9.2. If the boy is initially stationary, relative to the moving truck, in which direction
will he be displaced if the truck suddenly slows down?

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Activity 2.7 (Newton’s Second Law of Motion)

1.
1.1. Calculate the acceleration of a trolley with a mass of 250 kg when a force of 2 N
is exerted on it in an easterly direction on a frictionless surface.
1.2. The magnitude of the force on the trolley is doubled. What is the magnitude of
the acceleration now?
2. An unbalanced forced F causes the velocity of a metal ball with a mass of 4 kg to
change from 4 m∙s-1 to 8 m∙s-1 over a distance of 16 m in a northern direction.
Calculate the magnitude of the force F.
3. A trolley with a mass of 5 kg is stationary on a frictionless
horizontal surface. A force of 50 N is exerted on the trolley
at an angle of 600 with the horizontal.
3.1. Represent all the forces acting on the trolley with a
free body diagram.
3.2. Calculate the acceleration of the trolley.
4. A crate, with a mass of 30 kg, is dragged across a frictionless
surface. Calculate:
4.1. The acceleration of the crate.
4.2. The acceleration if the crate experiences a frictional
force of 20 N.
4.3. 𝜇𝑘 if the pulling force is reduced to 100 N and the crate continues moving.
4.4. 𝜇𝑠 if the crate is stationary and the pulling force is 22 N.
5. A helicopter lifts a load vertically off the ground. It accelerates at 5 m∙s-2. (Air friction is
negligible)
5.1. Indicate all the forces acting on the object with a labelled free body diagram.
5.2. The mass of the load is 150 kg. Calculate the lifting force exerted by the rope on
the load.
6. The crane in the diagram is lifting an object with a mass of 120 kg upwards.
6.1. Draw a labelled free body diagram to indicate all the
forces acting on the object while it is stationary.
6.2. The object is lifted at constant velocity of 2,1 m∙s-1.
Determine the tension in the rope.
6.3. Give the name of the Newton law that applies in 6.2.
6.4. The tension in the cable is increased to 900 N. Which
Newton law applies under these circumstances? Explain
your answer.

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7. A 3 kg block slides at constant velocity of 4,5 m∙s-1

along a horizontal surface. It strikes a rough surface
(frictional force = 10 N) and covers a distance of 1 m,
before it moves up a frictionless incline plane at an
angle of 150 with the horizontal. It covers a distance d
before it came to a halt up the slope.
7.1. Calculate the speed of the block when it reaches the slope.
7.2. Draw a labelled free body diagram to indicate all the forces acting on the block
as it slides up the slope.

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Activity 2.8
1. The crate in the diagram is pushed with a force of 150 N across a rough surface.
1.1. Represent the forces acting on the crate with a
labelled free body diagram.
1.2. Calculate the magnitude of the kinetic frictional force
experienced by the crate if it moves at constant
velocity.
1.3. Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction.
1.4. The applied force is changed to 20 N at an angle of 150. The crate remains
stationary. Calculate the coefficient of static friction under these circumstances.
2. Ronald connects two blocks A and B of masses 3 kg and 4 kg respectively, with a piece
of string with negligible mass. The blocks are placed on a horizontal floor and he
applies a force of 10 N at an angle of 300 with the horizontal.
As the blocks move, block A experiences a frictional
force of 1 N and block B a frictional force of 1,5 N.
2.1. Find the x component of the force applied by
Ronald.
2.2. Calculate the net force acting on the system.
2.3. Find the acceleration of the system.
2.4. Calculate the tension in the string between block A and B relative to block A.
2.5. Calculate the tension in the string between block A and B relative to block B.
3. Peter ties two blocks with a light string.
He pulls block R with a force F westwards and the
system of blocks accelerates at 0,5 m∙s-2 in the
direction of the applied force. The frictional force
between the floor and the 1 kg block is 2,5 N and between the floor and the 3 kg block
is 3,5 N. The tension in the string is T.
3.1. Represent all the horizontal forces acting on the 1 kg and 3 kg blocks with
separate free body diagrams.
3.2. Apply Newton’s second law to the 1 kg block (S) and calculate the magnitude of
the tension T.
3.3. Use your answer in 3.2 to calculate the applied force, F.

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4. A truck with a mass of 1 500 kg tows a car

with a mass of 1 000 kg across a rough road
surface, as shown in the following diagram.
The force of friction between the four
wheels of the truck and the road is 150 N. The force of friction between the four
wheels of the car and the road is 100 N.
For the purpose of calculations, ignore the mass of the tow rope between the car and
the truck.
4.1. Calculate the magnitude of the force, P, needed to give the truck and the car
together an acceleration of 1,6 m∙s–2.
4.2. Draw a labelled free body diagram of the truck. Show all the forces that act on
the truck.
4.3. Calculate the tension in the tow rope.
4.4. Explain how the acceleration of the truck and the car together changes if you
take the mass of the tow rope into account.
5. A and B are two identical trolleys, each with mass
60 kg, that are connected with a rope. The
trolleys are pulled across a rough horizontal
surface with a force of 600 N, that acts on B, at
an angle of 600 with the horizontal. The tension
in the rope between A and B is 160 N and the
trolleys accelerate at 2 m∙s-2.
5.1. Calculate the magnitude of the frictional force experienced by each trolley.
5.2. Explain why the frictional force experienced by B is less than by A.
6. Three blocks are attached to each other by two
strings with negligible mass. The 15 kg mas is
connected to a string that is suspended over a
frictionless pulley. Each block experiences a
frictional force of 20 N on the table. The system
accelerates in an eastern direction.
6.1. Draw a free body diagram for each block.
6.2. Calculate the acceleration of the system.
6.3. Calculate T1 and T2.
6.4. Calculate 𝜇𝑘 on each block.

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7. A helicopter accelerates vertically upwards at 2 m∙s-2

two objects A and B are fixed with different ropes
under the helicopter as shown in the diagram.
7.1. Draw a free body diagram to represent the forces
acting on each of the objects.
7.2. Apply Newton’s second law to each object to
determine T1 and T2

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Activity 2.9
1. A boy exerts a horizontal force of 200 N in an attempt to push a car that remains
motionless. Criticize the following statement: According to Newton’s third law, there
exists an opposing force of 200 N. This means that the resultant force on the car is
zero and the car is in equilibrium.
2. A small crate, connected to a string, is suspended 0,8 m above the floor by means of a
light string passing over a pulley. Friction may be ignored. One of the forces exerted by
a force pair is the weight of the crate. Identify the other force in the pair.
3. A girl (mass 50 kg) and a boy (mass 60 kg) on roller skates, are
facing each other and are stationary.
They press with their hands against each other and as a result,
move in opposite directions.
Use the laws of Newton to compare the acceleration of the girl
with the acceleration of the boy. (Ignore friction)
4. Two men try to break a rope with a maximum breaking force of
1 000 N. Thy try to do it in two different ways:
4.1. They pull on opposite ends of the rope.
4.2. They pull on the same end of the rope, with the other end attached to a wall.
Which one of the two methods is the best?
5. Grade 11 learners want to investigate
Newton’s third law of motion. The pulleys and
spring balance used, can be seen as
frictionless.
What will the reading on the spring balance
be? Explain your answer.

6. The force of an athlete’s foot pushing backwards against the

ground, is equal to the force exerted in a forward direction
by the ground on the foot. Explain why the athlete moves
forward, but the ground does not move backward.

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Activity 2.10
1. The force between two identical objects is 2,68 x 10-4 N. The two objects are 2 m
apart. Calculate the masses of the objects.
2.
2.1. State Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation.
2.2. Why is the law considered universal?
2.3. Determine the units of G, by using the equation for Newton’s Law of Universal
Gravitation.
3. Discuss the difference between g and G.
4. A hydrogen atom consists of a proton and an electron. The mass of the proton is
approximately 10-27 kg and the mass of the electron 10-30 kg. Calculate the
gravitational force between them at a distance of 10-10 m from each other.
5. Show, using Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, that the acceleration of all objects
dropped near the surface of the earth will be the same, independent of their masses.
6. Use the equation that you have derived in question 5, to calculate the magnitude of
the gravitational acceleration on planet VX@32Z. The mass of the planet is 2,7 x 1017
kg and the radius of the planet is 3,2 x 104 m.
7. The mass of an astronaut on the earth is 80 kg. What is his:
7.1. Mass on planet VX@32Z?
7.2. Weight on planet VX@32Z? The gravitational pull between two large ships with
masses 6 x 104 kg and 2 x 105 kg respectively is 1,64 x 10-2 N.
8. An object, falling free on the planet Mars, experiences a gravitational acceleration of
magnitude 3,8 m∙s-2. The mass of Mars is 6,4 x 1023 kg. Calculate the radius of Mars in
meters.
9. The earth has a mass of 6 x 1024 kg and an average radius of 6,4 x 106 m. A
research satellite with mass 200 kg moves in a fixed orbit around the earth.
9.1. Calculate how many kilometers above the earth’s surface the satellite is moving
if the earth exerts a force of 1,9 x 103 N on it in order to keep it in that specific
orbit.
9.2. Write down the name of the law applied in 9.1
10. The gravitational pull between two large ships with masses 6 x 104 kg and 2 x 105 kg
respectively is 1,64 x 10-2 N.
10.1. Calculate the distance between the ships.
10.2. How will the force be influenced if the distance between the ships is halved?

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11. A certain planet Q has a radius 10 times bigger than the earth and a mass 300 times of
that of the earth. Calculate the weight of a man that finds himself on planet Q, if his
weight on earth is 600 N
12. The weight of an object on the surface of the earth is 700 N. How will the weight
change if the object is taken to a position twice the radius of the earth from the
surface of the earth?
Activity 2.11 (Multiple Choice Questions)
First Law
1. A boy on roller skates, is moving along a frictionless, horizontal surface at a constant
velocity of 1,5 m∙s-1. For which one of the following pairs is the magnitude of both the
physical quantities equal to zero?
A Displacement and net force
B Acceleration and momentum
C Acceleration and net force
D Displacement and acceleration
2. Inertia is a property of matter, that
A Provides energy to the object
B Requires a force to accelerate the object
C Gives the object momentum
D Stops the object, when the force needed to move it, is removed.
3. The sum of all the forces acting on an object, is zero, if it:
A Falls free from rest
B Accelerates
C Moves around a circular track
D Moves at constant velocity
4. An aeroplane, flying horizontally, moves at constant velocity. Which ONE of the follow
combinations is TRUE concerning the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the
aeroplane?

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5. Which ONE of the following is an example of Newton’s first law of motion?

A A ball falling free through a vacuum
B A car travelling at constant velocity up an inclined hill
C An object moving a constant acceleration
D A stone, at its turning point, after being thrown upwards in the air.
6. A worker, standing on a scaffold, lowers a bucket with a weight of 400 N with a rope,
at constant speed. The force exerted by the worker, if the weight of the rope is
neglected, is:
A Constant and less than 400 N
B Greater than 400 N
C Less than 400 N but increasing
D Equal to 400 N
7. If an object is stationary, the following is TRUE?
A The object experiences a net force greater than zero
B No external forces act upon it
C The sum of all the forces acting on the object is zero
D Friction prevents the object to move
8. If an object is moving on a circular track, the following is TRUE?
A The object experiences a net force greater than zero
B No external forces act upon it
C The sum of all the forces acting on the object is zero
D Friction prevents the object to move
9. If an object is moving at constant speed in a northern direction, the following is TRUE?
A The object experiences a net force greater than zero
B No external forces act upon it
C The sum of all the forces acting on the object is zero
D Friction prevents the object to move
10. An object is moving at constant speed westwards
because of a force F acting upon it.
The magnitude of the frictional force acting on the
object, is:
A Zero C Smaller than F
B Greater than F D Equal to F

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11. Four coins are placed on one another on a horizontal

table. (Friction can be ignored).
Ann shoots another coin (A), which strikes the lowest of
the four coins horizontally. The other three coins remain
in place and A displaced and replaced the lowest coin.
Choose the correct law that explains the observation.
A Law of conservation of energy
B Newton’s first law of motion
C Newton’s second law of motion
D Newton’s third law of motion
Second Law
1. An object is suspended from a spring balance in a lift. The balance reading is 100 N
when the lift is stationary. When will the reading on the spring balance be the
greatest? When the lift:
A Is moving downwards at a constant acceleration
B Is moving upwards at constant velocity
C Is moving downwards at constant velocity
D Is moving upwards at a constant acceleration
2. An object is suspended from a spring balance in a lift. The balance is reading 100 N
when the lift is at rest. If the balance reading is 110 N, the lift is moving:
A Downwards at constant speed
B Downwards at decreasing speed
C Downwards at increasing speed
D Upwards at decreasing speed
3. One newton is the force acting on an object with mass 1 kg, if:
A It moves through a distance of 1 m
B It is lifted through a distance of 1 m
C The speed of the object increases with one m∙s-1 in 1 s
D It moves at a speed of 1 m∙s-1

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4. A net force acting in a horizontal direction, causes a mass of 5 kg to accelerate at

8 m∙s-2. What is the magnitude of the acceleration (in m∙s-2) if the same force is
exerted on a mass of 2,5 kg?
A 4
B 5
C 8
D 16
5. The results of an experiment to investigate the relationship
between the force applied to an object lying on a horizontal
surface and its acceleration, are shown in the graph. Which ONE
of the following is true?

6. A boy and girl, with total weight of 500 N, sit on the middle
of a swing as indicated.
What is the magnitude of the force in each of the swing’s
ropes? Ignore the mass of the seat.
A Zero
B 250 N
C 500N
D 1 000 N
7. A force of 24 N is exerted on two objects, mass 2 kg
and 6 kg respectively, that are stationary on a
horizontal, frictionless table. The objects are
connected with a light string. The magnitude of the
force that T exerts on the 2 kg object, is:
A 6N
B 12 N
C 18 N
D 24 N

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8. Two identical trolleys P and Q touch one another

and are stationary on a horizontal, frictionless rail.
What is the magnitude of the force that trolley P
exerts on trolley Q if a horizontal force F is exerted
on trolley P?
A. -F
B. F
C. 2F
𝐹
D. 2

9. Three objects, with mass 1,0 kg, 1,5 kg and 0,5 kg respectively
are connected and suspended from the ceiling. What is the
magnitude of the tension at point P?
A 29,4 N
B 24,5 N
C 19,6 N
D 9,8 N
10. A horizontal force F is applied to the block of mass M, which is
in contact with another block of mass m. If the effects of friction are ignored, the
magnitude of the force exerted on mass m by mass M, is:
𝑚𝐹
A 𝑀+𝑚
𝑚𝐹
B 𝑀
𝑀𝐹
C
𝑚
𝑀𝐹
D 𝑀+𝑚

11. Two crates with masses m and 2m respectively, are in contact with each other. The
blocks are accelerated by a force F on a frictionless, horizontal surface. The magnitude
of the force that the Y exerts on X, is:
A 2F
B F
𝟐
C F
𝟑
1
D F
3

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12. A constant, net force acts on a body which can move freely in a straight line. Which
physical quantity will remain constant?
A Velocity
B Acceleration
C Displacement
D Speed
13. An object slides down a frictionless, inclined plane.
Which ONE of the following physical quantities will remain constant throughout the
motion?
A Velocity
B Speed
C Distance
D Acceleration
14. A block of mass 3 kg is stationary on a smooth
horizontal surface as shown in the diagram. The
two forces in the diagram are applied
simultaneously to the block.
The block will:
A Remain stationary
B Accelerate to the left
C Be lifted vertically off the surface
D Accelerate to the right
15. On its own a truck has a maximum acceleration of 2 m∙s-2. What would its maximum
acceleration be while towing a vehicle twice its own mass?
A 0,5 m∙s-2
B 1,0 m∙s-2
C 1,5 m∙s-2
D 2,5 m∙s-2
16. A boy is pushing his friend, in a wheelchair, with a constant force on a level path. The
chair is moving at constant velocity. If the boy should let the chair go, it will:
A Start moving slower and eventually stop
B Keep on moving with constant velocity
C Move faster
D Stop immediately

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17. Three horizontal forces of equal magnitude act on a

stationary crate. The crate:
A Accelerates towards the south-east
B Accelerates towards the north-east
C Does not accelerate
D Accelerate towards the south-west
18. A crate, with mass m, is stationary on a rough,
horizontal surface.
A constant force F is then applied on the crate at an angle of 600 to the horizontal. If
the crate has a uniform acceleration of a, the frictional force acting on the crate, is:
A Fcos600 - ma, in the direction of S
B Fcos600 - ma, in the direction of P
C Fsin600 - ma, in the direction of S
D Fsin600 in the direction of P
𝑚(𝑣𝑓2 − 𝑣𝑖2 )
19. The physical quantity represented by the equation is equivalent to:
2∆𝑥

A Velocity
B Acceleration
C Displacement
D Net force
20. Oil drips at a constant rate from a moving truck. The diagram shows the pattern of the
droplets on the road. Which statement describes the motion of the truck? The truck
moved:
A Faster and then at constant speed
B Faster and then slowed down
C At constant speed and then slowed down
D At constant speed and then moved faster

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Newton’s Third Law of Motion

1. Newton’s third law is only applicable to:
A An object in rest
B An object moving at constant velocity
C Two forces which exert forces on each other
D Two objects experiencing different forces
2. A tennis ball is stationary on the floor of the classroom. One of the forces acting on
the ball, is the weight of the ball. The force pair of the weight, is:
A The force exerted by the earth on the ball
B The force exerted by the ball on the earth
C The force exerted by the ball on the floor
D The force exerted by the floor on the ball
3. Identify the forces acting on the barbell in the diagram:
A No forces, because the barbell is stationary
B An upward force exerted by the weightlifter
C A downward force exerted by the earth
D Both the weightlifter’s upward force and the force of
gravity downward.
4. Three identical trolleys are positioned as shown in the diagram with a compressed
spring between them. When the spring is released the trolleys move apart due to the
force exerted by the spring. The ratio of the force exerted by the stacked trolleys to
the force exerted on the single trolley, is:
A 1:2
B 1:1
C 2:1
D 4:1
5. A force is applied to a spring balance A until it reads 10 N.
A second identical spring balance B, is fixed to A . When B is pulled with a force of 10
N, what is the reading on A?
A 0N
B 5N
C 10 N
D 15 N

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6. Two spring balances are connected by a piece

of string to a wall as shown. A horizontal
force of 500 N is exerted on A. What will the
readings on A and B be?

7. A bee collides with the windscreen of a car travelling at 100 km∙h-1. Compared to the
force that the windscreen exerted on the bee, the magnitude of the force that the bee
exerted on the windscreen, is:
A Smaller
B Larger
C Zero
D The same
8. A gun recoils when it is fired. This follows from:
A Newton’s third law
B Newton’s law of inertia
C Newton’s second law
D Newton’s first law
9. Air that is pumped with a bicycle pump into a toy water rocket, causes
the water to squirt out of the spout and it causes the rocket to
accelerate upwards. Which ONE of the following explains the motion of
the rocket best?
A The water that squirts out, pushes against the ground and the
ground pushes the rocket upwards
B The water that squirts out, pushes against the outside air and this
air pushes the rocket upwards
C The gasses push the water out and the rocket upwards
D The air heats the water, and the steam pushes the rocket upwards

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10. The diagram shows a crate lying on a table, with two forces acting
on it. According to Newton’s third law, the force pair of the force
N, is:
A The force that the table exerts on the book
B The force that the book exerts on the table
C The gravitational force of the book on the earth
D The gravitational force of the earth on the book
11. A person in a car hits the windshield of the car if the car comes to a
halt very quickly. This can be explained by Newton’s:
A Universal law of gravitation
B Third law
C Second law
D First law
12. A driver in a car puts a book on top of the dashboard in front of him. While he is
driving, he finds that the book slides down to him. The observation was probably
made while the car was:
A Travelling forward at constant acceleration
B Travelling forward at constant deceleration
C Travelling forward at constant speed
D Travelling backward at constant speed.
13. A boy applies a force of 400 N to push a crate as shown. The frictional force acting on
the crate is 250 N.
The magnitude of the force exerted by the
crate on the boy, is:
A 0N
B 50 N
C 150 N
D 400 N
14. Trolley A with a mass of 4 kg, collides head-on with trolley B with a mass of 8 kg. The
force exerted by A on B during the collision, is:
A Double the force exerted by B on A
B Has the same magnitude as the force exerted by B on A
C Is four times greater than the force exerted by B on A
D Is half as great as the force exerted by B on A

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Newton’s Universal law of Gravitation

1. Two objects have a gravitational force of attraction F between them. The mass of the
one object is doubled, and the mass of the other object is increased three times. The
new gravitational force between them, is:
A 1F
B 1,5 F
C 2F
D 6F
2. Object A has a mass of 20 kg and object B has a mass of 40 kg. The distance between
their centers is 10 cm. Object A exerts a force F on object B. The force exerted by
object B on object A, is:
A 2F
B F
1
C 𝐹
2

D 6F
3. A satellite is orbiting the earth. The gravitational force between the satellite and the
1
earth is 9 of that experienced on the surface of the earth. If the earth has a radius r,
what is the height of the satellite above the surface of the earth?
A 9r
B 3r
C 2r
D r
4. Two asteroids, 1 000 km apart, attract each other with a gravitational force of F. If the
asteroids move away from each other to a distance of 2 000 km, how great will the
gravitational force be?
1
A F
4

B √2F
1
C F
2

D 4F

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5. Which graph best represents the relationship between the force of gravity, F, between
two objects and the distance r between their centers?

6. Which ONE of the following will not have an effect on the acceleration of a falling
object?
A Height of the object
B Distance between the center of the earth and the object
C Mass of the object
D Mass of the earth
7. The acceleration due to gravity at a point on the surface of the earth, is g. What would
the gravitational acceleration on the surface of another planet of the same mass be, if
the diameter is double that of the earth?
A 4g
1
B g
4

C 2g
1
D g
2

8. The attractive force between two bodies will increase, if the mass of both bodies . . .
A And the distance between the bodies increase
B And the distance between the bodies decrease
C Decrease and the distance between the bodies increase
D Increase and the distance between the bodies decrease
9. An object is dropped from a height of 1 km above the earth. If air resistance is ignored,
the acceleration of the object is dependent on the
A Radius of the earth
B Mass of the object
C Mass of the earth
D Weight of the object

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10. An astronaut has a mass m and a weight w on the earth. If the gravitational force on
1
the moon is 6 of that of the earth, the astronaut’s mass and weight on the moon will
respectively be

11. The weight of a moon rock lying on the surface of the moon is w. The radius of the
moon is R. The rock is taken to planet Gama, where the weight of the rock is 8w. If the
radius of planet Gama is half that of the moon and the mass of the moon is M, then
the mass of the planet is:
A 2M
B 4M
𝑀
C 2
𝑀
D 4

12. Mars has virtually no atmosphere, a radius half that of the earth and a mass a tenth
that of the earth. A metal sphere has a mass W on the surface of the earth. What is
the weight of the sphere on Mars?
1
A W
40
1
B W
20
4
C W
10
2
D W
10

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Activity 2.12 (Exam type Questions)

VECTORS IN TWO DIMENSIONS
1. The diagram shows FOUR forces of 9 N, 8 N, 6 N and 2 N acting on an object in the
same plane.

1.1 Define the term resultant/net force. (2)

1.2 Calculate:
1.2.1 The magnitude of the resultant of ALL the forces acting on the
object. (7)
1.2.2 The direction of the resultant force. (3)
2. A large, wrecking ball is held in place by two light steel cables. The mass, m, of the ball
is 1620 kg.

2.1 Explain the concept Forces in Equilibrium. (2)

2.2 Draw a triangle of forces in equilibrium and indicate ALL possible angles. (4)
2.3 Calculate
2.3.1 The magnitude of the tension TA in the cable that forms an angle of
260 with the vertical. (3)
2.3.2 The magnitude of the tension TB in the horizontal cable. (3)

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3. Three force P, Q and R, magnitudes 500 N,

200 N and 300 N respectively, act on a
point O in the directions as shown in the
diagram. The forces are not drawn to
scale.
3.1 Refer to the information given in
the diagram and give a reason
why forces P, Q and R are
classified as vectors. (2)
3.2 Determine the magnitude and the direction of the resultant force. (8)
3.3 Represent the relationship between the forces with a vector equation. (2)
4. Block A, which is at rest on a horizontal, rough surface, is used as an anchor to hold
block B, with a mass of 56 kg, in the air at a certain height above the ground. The two
blocks are connected with rope R, which makes an angle of 350 with the vertical. Block
B is suspended from the ceiling
with cable C. Refer to the diagram.
Block A experiences a frictional
force of magnitude 200 N. The
system is stationary.
4.1 Define the term resultant
vector. (2)
4.2 What is the magnitude of
the resultant force acting on block B? (1)
4.3 Draw a labelled free-body diagram indicating all the forces acting on block B.
(3)
4.4 Determine the horizontal component of the force in rope R. (1)
4.5 Calculate the vertical component of the force in cable C. (4)
4.6 Calculate the angle θ between the cable and the ceiling. (2)
5. A billboard, mass 15 kg, is
suspended from a roof by means
of a light inextensible string.
Force F pulls the billboard
sideways, as shown in the
diagram.
When the angle between the roof
and the string is 400, a closed vector
diagram is obtained for all the forces acting on the billbourd.

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5.1 What deduction can be made when the forces acting on the object forms a
closed vector diagram? (2)
5.2 Calculate the weight of the billboard. (2)
5.3 Draw a labelled closed vector diagram of ALL the forces acting on the
billboard, indicate the value of at least ONE angle. (4)
5.4 Calculate the tension in the string. (2)
5.5 The magnitude of force F is equal to the magnitude of the horizontal
component of the tension in the string. Give a reason why these two forces
are NOT considered to be an action-reaction pair according to Newton’s Third
Law. (1)
DBE NOVEMBER 2019
6. Two boys are trying to pull a tree stump
out of the ground. One boy applies a
force of 300 N and the other boy applies
a force of 450 N at 500 to the 300 N
force.
The tree stump moves because there is a
resultant force acting on it.
6.1. Define the term resultant force. (2)
6.2. Draw a vector diagram of all the
components of F1 showing at least one angle. (3)
6.3. Calculate
6.3.1. The magnitude of the resultant force (9)
6.3.2. The direction of the resultant force (3)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2019

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7. The diagram below shows a rope and

pulley arrangement of a device being
used to lift an 800 N object. Assume
that the ropes are light and
inextensible and also that the pulley is
light and frictionless. determine the:
7.1. Magnitude of the tensions T1
and T2. (7)
N
7.2. Magnitude and direction of the
reaction force at pulley P. (4)

8. A block Q with mass 70 kg is in rest

on a table. It is connected to block P
by means of two light inextensible
strings knotted at S. A third string is
arranged in such a way that the
string connecting block Q is
horizontal as shown in the diagram.
The coefficient of static friction
between block Q and the surface of
the table is 0,25. The knot S is in
equilibrium.
The tension in the string connecting block Q is T2 and for the string that pulls at 350 is
T2 (see diagram).
8.1. Define the term static frictional force in words.
8.2. Explain what is meant by the knot is in equilibrium.
8.3. Draw a labelled free-body diagram to show all the forces acting on:
8.3.1. The knot at S
8.3.2. Block Q
8.4. Calculate the maximum weight of block P for which block Q will just begin to
slip.

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9. A block with a mass of 8 kg resting on a rough

horizontal table is connected by a light
inextensible string that passes over a light,
frictionless pulley to another block of mass 5 kg.
The 5 kg block hangs vertically as shown in the
diagram.
A 15 N force is applied to the 8 kg block at an
angle of 300 to the horizontal, causing the block
to slide to the left.
The coefficient of friction between the 8 kg block
and the surface of the table is 0,25. Ignore effects of air friction.
9.1. Draw a free-body diagram to show all the forces acting on the 8 kg block. (5)
9.2. Write down Newton’s second law of motion.
Calculate the magnitude of the:
9.3. Normal force acting on the 8 kg block. (3)
9.4. Tension in the string connecting the two blocks. (6)
10. Heavy rain caught a learner on his way back
home from school. On reaching home, he
emptied his backpack and hung his backpack
on the washing line between two vertical
parallel poles. The bag remains in
equilibrium. He realised that the angle
between the washing line and pole B is 50°.
On further investigation he noted that force
on the washing line between his bag and pole
A is 7,51 N as shown in the diagram:
10.1. Draw a vector diagram showing at least one angle and all forces acting on the
bag. (4)
10.2. Write down the magnitude of the resultant of all forces acting on the bag. (2)
10.3. Name and explain the principle you used to answer question 10.2 (2)
10.4. Calculate the mass of this “wet bag” if the force on the washing line between
the bag and pole A is 7,51 N (5)
10.5. When the bag is completely dry, the washing line becomes more contracted
(more horizontal). How would the magnitude of FB change? Only write down
INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAINS THE SAME. (2)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2018

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Activity 2.13 (Exam type Questions – Multiple Choice)

NEWTON’S LAWS
1. Two blocks of masses 7 kg and 5 kg
respectively are connected by a
light, inextensible string that runs
over a frictionless pulley. The 7 kg
block is pulled to the left with a
force of 68 N at an angle of 120 to
the horizontal. The 7 kg block
experiences a frictional force of 6 N.
The coefficient of friction between
the 5 kg block and the surface of
the inclined plane is 0,18.
1.1 Define the term Normal Force. (2)
1.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to indicate ALL the forces acting on the 5
kg object. (4)
1.3 Distinguish between static friction and kinetic friction. (4)
1.4 Calculate:
1.4.1 The frictional force acting between the 5 kg block and the surface of
the inclined plane. (4)
1.4.2 The acceleration of the 7 kg block. (7)
1.4.3 The magnitude of the tension T in the string between the two blocks.
(3)
2. A 5 kg mass and a 20 kg mass are
connected by a light inextensible string
which passes over a light frictionless
pulley. Initially, the 5 kg mass is held
stationary on a horizontal surface,
while the 20 kg mass hangs vertically
downwards, 6 m above the ground.
When the stationary 5 kg mass is
released, the two masses begin to
move. The coefficient of kinetic friction, 𝜇𝑘 , between the 5 kg mass and the horizontal
surface is 0,4. Ignore the effects of air friction.
2.1 Calculate the acceleration of the 20 kg mass. (6)
2.2 Calculate the speed of the 20 kg mass as it strikes the ground. (4)
2.3 At what minimum distance from the pulley should the 5 kg mass be placed
initially so that the 20 kg mass just strikes the ground? (1)

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3. Two blocks of mass M kg

and 2,5 kg respectively
are connected by a light,
inextensible string. The
string runs over a light,
frictionless pulley, as
shown in the diagram.
The blocks are
stationary.
3.1 State Newton’s Third law in words. (2)
3.2 Calculate the tension in the string. (3)
The coefficient of static friction (𝜇𝑠 ) between the unknown mass M and the surface of
the table is 0,2.
3.3 Calculate the minimum value of M that will prevent the blocks from moving.
(5)
The block of unknown mass M is now replaced with a block of mass 5 kg. The 2,5 kg
block now accelerates downwards. The coefficient of kinetic friction (𝜇𝑘 )
between the 5 kg block and the surface of the table is 0,15.
3.4 Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the 5 kg block. (5)
4. A block of mass 1 kg is connected to another block of mass 4 kg with an inextensible
string. The system is pulled up a rough plane inclined at 30 0 to the horizontal by
means of a constant force of 40 N parallel to the plane as shown in the diagram.
The magnitude of the kinetic frictional force between the surface and the 4 kg block is
10 N. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the 1 kg block and the surface is 0,29.

4.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing all the forces acting on the 1 kg
block as it moves up the incline. (5)
4.2 Calculate the magnitude of the:
4.2.2 Kinetic frictional force between the 1 kg block and the surface. (3)
4.2.3 The tension in the string connecting the two blocks. (6)

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5. Block A of mass 5 kg is attached to block B

of unknown mass. The string joining the
blocks is INELASTIC and WEIGHTLESS. The
string passes over a frictionless pulley as
shown in the diagram.
An applied force F with magnitude 15 N
acts at an angle of 300 relative to the horizontal plane of block A. Block A accelerates
at 2,2 m∙s-2 to the right across the rough, horizontal plane. The coefficient of kinetic
friction between the surface of block A and the plane is 0,35.
5.1 Define Newton’s Second Law in words. (2)
5.2 Draw a LABELLED free-body diagram (5)
5.3 Calculate the magnitude of the frictional force experienced by block A. (3)
5.4 Calculate the mass of block B. (5)
6. A light, inelastic string connects two
objects of mass 6 kg and 3 kg
respectively. They are pulled up an
inclined plane that makes an angle of 300
with the horizontal, with a force of
magnitude F. Ignore the mass of the
string. The coefficient for kinetic friction
for the 3 kg block is 0,1 and for the 6 kg block, 0,2.
6.1 How will the coefficient of friction be affected if the angle between the incline
and the horizontal increases? Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or
REMAINS THE SAME. (1)
6.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to indicate all the forces acting on the 6 kg
object as it moves up the inclined plane. (4)
6.3 Calculate the:
6.4 Tension in the spring if the system accelerates up the inclined plane at 4 m∙s-2.(5)
6.4.1 Magnitude of F if the system moves up the inclined plane at CONSTANT
VELOCITY. (6)
6.5 How would the tension in the string, calculated in question 9.3.B be affected
if the system accelerates up a frictionless plane at 4 m∙s-2? Write down
INCREAES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)

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7. Two blocks of masses 20 kg and 5 kg respectively

are connected by a light, inextensible string P. A
second light, inextensible string Q, attached to the
5 kg block, runs over a light, frictionless pulley. A
constant, horizontal force of 250 N pulls a second
string as shown in the diagram. The magnitude of
the tensions in P and Q are T1 and T2 respectively.
Ignore the effects of friction.
7.1 Draw a labelled free body diagram
indicating ALL the forces acting on the 5 kg block. (3)
7.2 Calculate the magnitude of the tension T1 in string P. (6)
7.3 When the 250 N force is replaced by a sharp pull on the string, one of the two
strings break. Which ONE of the two strings P or Q will break? (1)
8. A constant force F, pulls a 50 kg block at a
constant speed over a rough horizontal surface,
AB. The coefficient of kinetic friction (𝜇𝑘 )
between the block and the surface is 0,4.
8.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing ALL the forces acting on the block.
(4)
8.2 State Newton’s First Law of motion in words. (2)
Calculate the magnitude of the:
8.3 Force F. (6)
8.4 Normal force (2)
8.5 Frictional force. (2)
The same constant force, F, is now applied to the
block over the same rough, horizontal surface,
but in the direction as shown in the diagram.
8.6 Give a reason why the block will move
slower than before. (2)
9. In the diagram, a 2 kg block is connected
to a 1 kg block by means of a light,
inextensible string. The blocks are pulled
up an inclined plane, which forms an angle
of 280 to the horizontal. The sides of the
blocks which touch the inclined plane have
the same area.
The kinetic frictional force between the 1 kg block and the inclined plane is 4 N while
the kinetic frictional force between the 2 kg block and the incline plane is 8 N.

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9.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing ALL the forces acting on the 1 kg
block. (5)
9.2 Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the string connecting the blocks. (5)
The two blocks are interchanged so that the
SAME 30 N force is now acting on the 2 kg
block along the inclined plane as shown in
the diagram.
9.3 How will the acceleration of the
system change? Write only INCREASE,
DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME. (1)
9.4 How will the tension in the string connecting the two blocks change? Write only
INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME (1)
10. In the diagram below, a 1 kg mass and a 2 kg mass are
connected by an inextensible string of negligible mass. The
string is passed over a light, frictionless pulley so that the
masses hang down as shown. Initially the system is held
stationary.
10.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to show all the
forces acting on the 2 kg mass. (2)
10.2 Calculate the time it will take the 1 kg mass to move
a distance of 1 m when the system is released. (7)
11. A hovering rescue helicopter has a container of supplies,
with a weight of 1 960 N hanging from a cable. The
tension in the cable is 2 100 N.
11.1 Draw a labelled free – body diagram of ALL the
forces acting on the container.
11.2 Why does the container remain stationary
despite the tension being greater than the weight?
Now the winch inside the helicopter starts to pull the container upwards with an
acceleration of 0,13 m·s-2, while the helicopter remains in its position.
11.3 Calculate the mass of the container.
11.4 Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the cable while the cable is being
pulled upwards.
After an acceleration of a few metres the container is pulled up at a constant velocity
of 0,8 m·s-1.
11.5 What will the magnitude of the tension in the cable be, while the container is
moving upwards at constant velocity?

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12. An 8 kg wooden block is attached to a 2 kg block with

a weightless, inextensible string over a frictionless
pulley. The block accelerates downwards against a
rough inclined plane at 200 with the horizontal. The
tension in the string is 21 N.
12.1 Define the term acceleration.
12.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to indicate ALL the forces acting on the 8 kg
block.
12.3 Show, with calculations, that the acceleration of the system of blocks is
0,7 m·s-2.
12.4 Calculate the magnitude of the frictional force experienced by the 8 kg block.
13. A ball X, with mass 3 kg, is connected with
a light string, to trolley Y, with mass 4 kg.
The trolley is initially at rest on a plane
inclined at 300 to the horizontal. The ball is
released and falls towards the ground,
while the trolley accelerates at 0,43 m·s-2
up the plane and covers a distance of 2 m.
The coefficient of kinetic friction along AB
is 0,2. (Ignore all effects of air friction).
13.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to show ALL the forces acting on the trolley
as it moves upwards against the inclined plane.
13.2 Show that the kinetic frictional force is 6,79 N
13.3 Write Newton’s Second Law of Motion in words.
13.4 Calculate the tension T in the string.
13.5 Calculate the speed at which the 3 kg ball hits the ground.

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14. A breakdown truck, pulls a small car, using a light inelastic rope. The inelastic rope forms
an angle of 300 with the horizontal.

The two vehicles move from rest on a straight, horizontal road to the right. The mass of
the car is 1 1100 kg and the mass of the breakdown truck is 4 000 kg. The truck’s engine
applies a force of 18 000 N. A frictional force of 1 617 N is working on the car and a
frictional force of 5 880 N on the breakdown truck.
14.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to represent all the forces acting on the car.
14.2 Calculate the acceleration of the car.
14.3 Calculate the magnitude of the tension T in the rope.
14.4 Using equations of motion, calculate the distance that the car will travel in 6 s.
14.5 After a while the breakdown truck and the car travel at a constant velocity.
The rope now exerts a horizontal force of 1 617 N on the car. Calculate the
normal force of the road on the car.
14.6 Write Newton’s First Law in words.
14.7 Towing with a rope can be dangerous. Refer to Newton’s laws of motion to
explain this.
14.8 If the horizontal tension in the rope, from the car on the truck is 1 617 N, what
is the horizontal force of the truck on the car? Explain.
15. Learners investigate the relationship between net force and acceleration by pulling a
trolley across a surface which is slightly inclined to compensate for friction. The trolley
is connected to different masses by a string of negligible mass. The string passes over a
frictionless pulley. Refer to the diagram.

Tickertape attached to the trolley passes through the ticker-timer. The acceleration of
the trolley is determined by analysing the tickertape. The results of the net force

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produced by different masses and the acceleration of the trolley were recorded in the
table:
15.1 Write down a hypothesis for the experiment. (2)
15.2
15.2.1 Identify the independent variable. (1)
15.2.2 Identify the controlled
variable. (1)
15.3 Use graph paper and draw a graph
of the acceleration vs net force. (4)
15.4 Calculate the gradient of the graph.
(3)
15.5 Use the gradient to determine the mass of the trolley. (2)
16. A tow truck pulls a car
along a gravel road. The
force applied by the
engine of the tow truck is
9 000 N. The mass of the
tow truck is 1 300 kg and
the mass of the car is 950
kg. The vehicles are connected to each other by an inelastic tow bar of negligible mass.
The tow truck and the car move at constant velocity.
16.1 Define the term frictional force. (2)
16.2 NAME and STATE the law that explains why the force exerted by the tow truck
on the car is the same as the force exerted by the car on the tow truck. (3)
16.3 Draw a labelled free-body diagram indicating all the forces acting on the tow
truck. (5)
16.4 If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the tow truck tyres and the road
surface is 0,45, calculate the
16.4.1 Magnitude of the tension in the tow bar. (5)
16.4.2 Coefficient of friction between the CAR tyres and the road surface.
(5)
Suddenly the tow bar between the car and the tow truck disconnects and the car comes
loose.
16.5 Using a relevant law of motion, explain why the car continues moving forward
for a short distance. (3)
16.6 Calculate the acceleration of the car as it comes to a stop after a short distance.
(3)

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17. Three objects A, B and C are

moving through space at right
angles to each other. The mass
of A is 3 kg and the mass of B is
8 kg. The distance between C
and A is r and the distance
between C and B 2r. FCA is 35 N.
17.1 Write Newton’s Law of
Universal Gravitation in
words.
17.2 Calculate the force
between C and B.
17.3 Show how FCB will change if the radius CB is halved and the mass of B is doubled.
𝐺𝑚
17.4 Prove that g = .
𝑟2

18 A person with mass 60 kg climbs to the

top of a mountain which is 6 000 m
above ground level.

18.1 State Newton’s Law of Universal

Gravitation in words. (2)
18.2 Calculate the difference in the
weight of the climber at the top of the mountain and at ground level. (6)
19 A small hypothetical planet X has a mass of 6,5 x 1020 kg and a radius of 550 km.
Calculate the gravitational force (weight) that planet X exerts on a 90 kg rock on this
planet’s surface. (4)
20 The acceleration due to gravity on plane X is 2,7 m∙s-2. The radius of this planet is a third
of the radius of Earth.
20.1 Explain the difference between weight and mass. (2)
20.2 Calculate the mass of planet X. (4)
20.3 Determine the factor by which the weight of an object on planet X will differ from
the weight of the same object on Earth. (2)

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21 Passenger plane accidents

are becoming quite
common. In one recent
accident, an Airbus, with
mass 3 000 kg was last
seen on the radar at a
height of 3 500 m above
the Earth’s surface before
crashing the sea. It is not
yet clear what caused the
crash, but some reports allegedly say that the plane exploded before hitting the water’s
surface in the sea.
21.1 Name and state the law that explains the force with which the Earth and the plane
interact at a height of 3 500 m above the surface of the Earth. (3)
21.2 How does the magnitude of the force experienced by the plane compare to the
force experienced by the Earth due to this plane? (2)
21.3 Explain why the plane is moving towards the Earth and not vice-versa. (2)
21.4 Calculate the force exerted by the Earth on the plane at a height of 3 500 m. (5)
21.5 With what factor will the force of impact (F) that the plane experiences on the
surface of the water change, if the plane had to crash on a different planet, with
double the mass of the Earth and the total distance a third of that of the Earth?
Show calculations. (3)
22 A 4 kg block is pulled up along a
frictionless incline by a constant force F
acting parallel to the incline, as shown
below. The incline makes an angle of 30°
with the horizontal. The block moves at
CONSTANT VELOCITY.
22.1 State Newton’s First Law of motion in words. (2)
22.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing all the forces acting on the block. (3)
22.3 Calculate the magnitude of:
22.3.1 The perpendicular component of the weight of the block. (3)
22.3.2 Force F (3)
The same block is now pulled up along a rough
incline by a constant force of 25 N acting
parallel to the incline, as shown below. The
incline makes an angle of 30° with the
horizontal.

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The acceleration of the block is now 0,2 m∙s-2 upwards along the incline.
22.4 Calculate the:
22.4.1 Magnitude of the kinetic frictional force acting on the block. (4)
22.4.2 Coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the surface of the
incline.
The force of 25 N acting on the block on the rough incline is now removed.
22.5 How will each of the following quantities change in MAGNITUDE and
DIRECTION?
22.5.1 Weight of the block? (2)
22.5.2 Acceleration of the block? (2)
22.5.3 Kinetic frictional force acting on the block? (2)
DBE NOVEMBER 2019
23 A 6 kg block, held at rest on a rough horizontal
table, is connected to another block of mass 3 kg
by a light inextensible string passing over a
frictionless pulley. The 3 kg block hangs
vertically, as shown in the diagram below.
23.1 State Newton’s Second Law of motion in
words. (2)
23.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing ALL the forces acting on the 6 kg
block, (4)
23.3 Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the 3 kg block. (6)
23.4 Explain the following statement: The acceleration of the object is 0,6 m∙s-2.
DBE NOVEMBER 2019

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24 The relationship between gravitational acceleration and the ratio of the mass to the
𝑀
square of the radius (𝑅2) of different planets are investigated. The graph below is
obtained from the data collected.

𝑀
24.1 What relationship between g and 𝑅2 can be deduced from the graph? (1)

24.2 Calculate the gradient of the graph. (3)

24.3 What physical constant is represented by the gradient of the graph? (1)
24.4 The gravitational acceleration on Uranius is 9 m∙s-2. Use the graph to determine
𝑀
the 𝑅2 value for Uranius.

24.5 Calculate the mass of Uranius if the radius is 2,54 x 10 7 m. (2)

DBE NOVEMBER 2019

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11. An aeroplane does an emergency landing at the

International airport in Cape Town. The passengers
leave the aeroplane by means of a slide 3,2 m high
which makes an angle of 20° with the tar surface.
11.1. Draw a labelled free-body diagram of all the
forces working on a passenger at the top of
the slide. (3)
11.2. Define the term frictional force. (2)
11.3. Calculate the frictional force experienced by a passenger of 70 kg sliding down
the slide, if the slide has a coefficient of friction of 0,112. (6)
11.4. If the slope of the track increases, how will the friction experienced by the
passenger change?
11.4.1. Write only INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME. (2)
11.4.2. Explain your answer to Question. (2)
11.5. If the passenger has a 10 kg toddler in his arms. How does his acceleration down
the slope change?
11.5.1. Write only INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME. (2)
11.5.2. Explain your answer to Question 3.5.1 (2)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2019
12. Two blocks A of mass 375 g and B with a mass of 225 g, hang
0n a thin string over a frictionless and weightless pulley as
shown.
12.1. Draw a free-body diagram for block A. (2)
12.2. Define Newton’s Second Law of Motion. (2)
12.3. Calculate the acceleration of block B. (5)
12.4. Calculate the tension in the rope onto which the blocks
hang. (3)
GAUTENG PROVINCE 2019

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13. The International Space Station was launched on

20 November 1998. It experiences an average
net attraction force of 3,64 x 106 N The mass of
the International Space Station is 419725 kg.
13.1. State Newton’s Law of Universal
Gravitation. (2)
13.2. Calculate how many kilometers above the
Earth’s surface the satellite is moving, if it
experiences a force of 3,64 x 106 N on it in order to keep it in that space orbit.(5)
13.3. A man gas a weight of 650 N on the Earth. Calculate the mass on the space
station. (3)
13.4. One of the rockets of the space station is now started to accelerate it away from
the earth to a new orbit. Calculate the force which the rocket must exert to
accelerate the space station at 0,6 m∙s-2 away from the Earth.
13.5. After the rockets stopped firing:
13.5.1. How does the acceleration of the space station change? Only answer
INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME. (2)
13.5.2. Explain your answer. (2)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2019
14. National Building Regulations
recommended specifications
for trolley and wheelchair
ramps specifies that a ramp
must be 6 m in length, while
the angle of the ramp must
equal 4.76°. The combined
mass of the trolley and its
contents is 80 kg. The coefficient of static friction between the wheels of the trolley
and the ramp is 0.1 which drops to 0.09 once the trolley is moving.
14.1. Define the term static friction. (2)
14.2. Draw a labelled diagram showing all the forces acting on the trolley. (3)
14.3. While the trolley is at the top of the ramp:
14.3.1. Calculate the normal force. (3)
14.3.2. Calculate the maximum force of static friction. (2)
14.3.3. Explain, with the aid of a calculation, whether the trolley will start to
roll down the ramp on its own or not. (4)

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14.4. If the ramp is longer than 6 m, a less steep gradient is required. For a ramp of a
less steep gradient, state whether the following would increase, decrease or
remain the same.
14.4.1. The angle of the ramp (1)
14.4.2. The coefficient of friction (1)
14.4.3. The force of kinetic friction (1)
14.4.4. 4 Refer to a relevant Physics principle, law or equation(s) to explain
your answer to Question 29.4.3. (2)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2018
15. Two identical wooden crates of equal
masses, A and B are joined together
with a string. They are used on a
carrot farm to collect the harvest to
carry to the storeroom. Each crate
carries a mass of 15 kg and they are
dragged across level rough surface by a force 250 N on crate B that forms an angle 25º
with the horizontal. There is a frictional force of 11 N working in on each crate.
15.1. State Newton’s second law of motion in words. (2)
15.2. Calculate the…
15.2.1. Magnitude of the tension in the string. (8)
15.2.2. Coefficient of kinetic friction on crate B. (4)
15.3. If a 2 kg bag of carrots is loaded to crate B without any other change made,
explain what will happen to the system. (3)
GAUTENG PROVINCE 2018
16. The actor, Christian Bale, performed his most
dangerous stunt in the movie, Rescue Dawn.
Bale had to hang on a rope below a helicopter
as he was lifted from an open space in the
forest. The system, comprising of the
helicopter (mass 2 tons), and Bale, hanging
stationary, is represented below:
The mass of Bale is 80 kg. Rope A connects
Bale to the helicopter and there is a tension of
920 N in the rope. The rope does not stretch,
and the mass of the rope can be ignored.

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16.1. Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing all the forces acting on Bale. (3)
16.2. Why does Bale remain stationary despite the tension being greater than his
weight? (2)
When they have cleared the forest, a winch inside the helicopter starts to lower Bale
downwards, onto a boat, with an acceleration of 0,18 m.s⁻² while the helicopter
remains in its position, with the rotor blades still moving at the same speed.
16.3. Calculate the tension in the rope while Bale is being lowered. (5)
16.4. State Newton’s third law of motion. (2)
16.5. Identify an action-reaction force pair working in on Bale. (2)
16.6. Indicate the magnitude of the force of Bale on the rope. (1)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2018
17. Apollo 11, with a mass of 300 kg, was the
first manned spaceship to travel to and
land on the moon. The Earth has a mass of
6,0 × 1024 kg while the Moon has a mass of
7,3 × 1022 kg.
17.1. State Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. (2)
17.2. At some position between the Earth and the Moon, Apollo 11 would have
experienced a resultant force of zero. Explain how this is possible. (2)
17.3. Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force of attraction that Apollo 11
will experience at point B. (5)
17.4. An Astronaut must go for a spacewalk to do some repairs. Why does the
astronaut appear weightless? (2)
Curiosity is a car-sized robotic rover exploring
the Gale Crater on Mars as part of NASA's Mars
Science Laboratory mission. The rover was first
tested on the Moon.
Curiosity has a mass of 899 kg including 80 kg of
scientific instruments. The rover is 2,9 m long by 2,7 m wide by 2,2 m in height.
17.5. If the moon has a mass of 600 x 1021 kilograms and a radius of 1 737 kilometres,
what is the weight (gravitational force) of Curiosity on the surface of the moon?
(4)
17.6. How would the force of gravity on Curiosity change on a planet with half the
mass and three times the radius of the moon? (2)
GAUTENG PROVINCE JUNE 2018

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18. Learners investigate the relationship between the mass of an object and the
acceleration it experiences when a constant net force is applied on the object. They
use their results to draw the graph below:

18.1. State Newton's Second Law of Motion in words. (2)

18.2. Calculate the gradient of the graph. (3)
18.3. Hence, determine the net force applied on the object during the experiment. (2)
18.4. Write down a conclusion for this experiment. (2)

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Activity 2.14 (Exam type Questions – Multiple Choice)

1. The net force acting on an object is directly proportional to the:
A. Mass of the object C. Change in momentum of the object
B. Acceleration of the object D. Rate of change in momentum of the object
2. A net force F which acts on a body of mass m causes an acceleration a. If the same net
force F is applied to a body 2m, the acceleration of the body will be:
1 1
A. a C. a
4 2

B. 2𝑎 D. 4a
3. Two objects with masses 2m and m are arranged
as shown in the diagram:
Which ONE of the changes below will produce the
GREATEST increase in the gravitational force
exerted by one mass on another?
A. Double the large mass
B. Halve the smaller mass
C. Double the distance between the masses
D. Halve the distance between the masses.
4. Two isolated bodies A and B, having masses m
and 2m respectively, are placed a distance apart.
Consider the following statements regarding the
gravitational force exerted by the bodies on each
other;
(i) The force exerted by B on body A is half that exerted by A on body B.
(ii) The force exerted on the bodies is independent of the masses of the objects.
(iii) The force exerted on body A by body B is equal but opposite than the force exerted on
B by body A.
(iv) The forces will always be attractive.
Which of the statement(s) above is/are true?
A. (i), (ii) and (iv) only
B. (ii), (iii) and (iv) only
C. (ii) and (iv) only
D. (iv) only

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5. Two forces F1 and F2 are applied

on a crate lying on a frictionless,
horizontal surface as shown in the
diagram. The magnitude of force
F1 is greater than that of force F2.
The crate will:
A. Accelerate towards the east
B. Accelerates towards the west
C. Move at constant speed towards the east
D. Move at constant speed towards the west
6. A person stands on a bathroom scale that is calibrated in newton, in a stationary
elevator. The reading on the bathroom scale is W. The elevator moves with a constant
1
upward acceleration of 4g, where g is the gravitational acceleration. What will the
reading on the bathroom scale be now?
1
A. W C. W
4
3 5
B. W D. W
4 4

7. Which ONE of the following forces always act perpendicular to the surface on which a
body is placed?
A. Normal force C. Gravitational force
B. Frictional force D. Tension force
8. Two objects, each of mass m are placed a distance d
apart as shown in the diagram. The gravitational force
between them is F.
The magnitude of the force increases to 4F when the:
1
A. Distance between the objects decreased to 4d
1
B. Distance between the objects decrease to d
2
1
C. Mass of each object decreased to 2d
D. Mass of each object increased to 4m
9. Vector P and –P are acting on a common point O. The angle between the two vectors
is:
A. 00 C. 1800
B. 900 D. 2700

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10. The statements below refer to vectors and scalars:

(i) Vectors can be added together but scalars not.
(ii) A scalar quantity can be associated with direction.
(iii) A vector quantity is always associated with direction.
Which of the statements above are true?
A (i) and (ii) only
B (ii) and (iii) only
C (i) only
D (iii) only
11. A net force F is applied on an object of mass m kg and causes an acceleration of a m∙s-2.
When the net force, F, on the same object is doubled, the resulting acceleration, in
m∙s-2, will be:
3
A a C. a
2

B 2a D. 3a
12. A person stands on a bathroom scale in a stationary elevator. The reading on the scale
is 490 N. When the elevator is in motion, the reading on the scale changes to 470 N.
Which ONE of the following combinations best describes the DIRECTION OF THE
MOTION and the DIRECTION OF THE ACCELERATION of the elevator during the
motion?
DIRECTION OF MOTION DIRECTION OF ACCELERATION
A. Upwards Upwards
B. Downwards Downwards
C. Upwards Downwards and then upwards
D. Downwards Upwards and then downwards

13. A mass piece with mass 1 kg hangs on a Newton scale

attached to the ceiling as in diagram A. In diagram B the same
1 kg mass piece is hanging over a frictionless pulley and is
attached to the ground. If the reading on the scale in diagram
A is 9,8 N, what is the reading on the scale in diagram B?
A 4,9 N
B 9,8 N
C 14,7 N
D 19,6 N

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14. Which ONE of the following pairs of physical quantities is vector quantities?
A Force and distance C. Velocity and speed
B Charge and electric field D. Electric field and force
15. Which ONE of the following vector diagrams represents three forces acting on an
object simultaneously while the object moves at CONSTANT VELOCIY?

16. A block with a mass of 4 kg is

pulled upwards along a
frictionless slope, inclined at an
angle θ, with a force F, as shown
in the diagram.
Which ONE of the following
equations can be used to calculate the magnitude of the NORMAL FORCE (N)?
A N = (4)(9,8)(sinθ) C. N = F + (4)(9,8)cos θ
B N = F – (4)(9,8)cos θ D. N = (4)(9,8)cos θ
1
17. A satellite orbits Earth at a height where the gravitational force is a quarter ( 4) of the
force it experiences on the surface of the Earth. If the radius of the Earth is R, the
height of the satellite ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, is:
A 4R C. R
1
B 2R D. R
2

18. Which ONE of the following is an example of a non-contact force?

A Frictional force C. Gravitational force
B Tension force D. Normal force
19. As a bus pulls away from the curb, the standing passengers move backwards as a
result of one of Newton’s Laws. Which law?
A Newton’s First Law C. Newton’s t]Third Law
B Newton’s Second Law D. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

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20. The forces of magnitude 10 N and

6 N act on a box. The box rests on a
horizontal frictionless surface.
What must the angle θ between
the two forces be to give a
maximum resultant for the two
forces?
A 00 C. 1200
B 600 D. 1800
21. A woman pushes a trolley in a
supermarket with a horizontal force
of 70 N. During the motion, a
frictional force of 25 N acts on the
trolley.
The magnitude of the force exerted by the trolley on the women, is:
A 45 N C. 70 N
B 25 N D. 95 N
22. An object is dropped from a height of 1 km above the Earth. If air resistance is ignored,
the acceleration of the object is only dependant on the:
A Mass of the object
B Distance from the centre of the Earth
C Rotation speed of the Earth
D Mass of the Earth
23. A satellite experiences a gravitational force of magnitude F on the surface of the Earth.
The radius of the Earth is R. The satellite now circles the Earth at an unknown height
1
above the surface of the Earth and experiences a gravitational force of magnitude 16 F.
This unknown height is:
A R C 3R
B 2R D. 4R
24. Two identical chandeliers are suspended from cable E attached to
the ceiling and cable F attached between the chandeliers, as
indicated in the diagram.
Which ONE of the following relationships between the tension, T E,
in the cable E, and the tension TF, in the cable F, is correct?
A T E > FF C. TE = T F ≠ 0 N
B TE < TF D. TE = T F = 0 N

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25. A frictionless trolley of mass B is accelerated to the left

by the effect of gravity acting on mass A. A light,
inelastic string linking A to B passes over a frictionless
pulley.
The acceleration of the system can be halved by:
A By doubling the mass of the trolley to 2B
B Halving the mass of A
𝐴 𝐴
C Halving the suspended mass to 2 and increasing the mass of B by 2
D Doubling the mass of the trolley B and
halving the mass of A.
26. Two forces F1 and F2 act simultaneously at a
point in the direction as shown in the
diagram.
Which ONE of the following represnts the
resultant of the two forces?

27. Which ONE of the following statements regarding inertia of an object is CORRECT? The
inertia of an object. . .
A Is greater if its mass is smaller
B Increases as the applied force on the object increases
C Is the resistance to any change in its state of motion
D Increases the frictional force on the object increases

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28. Which ONE of the following statements regarding the frictional force acting on an
object is CORRECT?
The frictional force is . .
A Directly proportional to the normal force
B Dependent on the velocity of the motion
C Independent of the type of surface
D Equal to the weight of the object
29. Which ONE of the following graphs represents the relationship between acceleration
and mass of an object if a constant net force acts on it?

30. Choose the set of quantities which are only vectors.

A Force, mass, time, power
B Work, energy, weight, distance
C Force, distance, speed, acceleration
D Force, displacement, velocity, acceleration
31. The acceleration due to gravity experienced by an object falling depends on
A The mass of the object only
B The mass of the object and the mass of the planet
C The mass and radius of the planet only
D The mass and radius of the planet and the mass of the object

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32. Which ONE of the following indicates the direction of the vector OA in the diagram?

A 2100 West of South

B 2100
C 300
D 300 West
33. Two boys are playing with a ball. One boy only pulls the ball with a force of 1,5, N to
the right and the other boy pulls with a force of 2 N at a right angle to the first boy.
The magnitude of the resultant force on the ball will be:
A 3,5 N C 3N
B 2,5 N D
6,25 N
34. A box of 2,5 kg is being pulled with a force of
25 N at an angle of 300 to the horizontal, as
in the diagram. Ta he normal force is:
A 24,5 N
B 12,5 N
C 12 N
D 37 N
35. A net force F applied to mass m will have an acceleration of a. If the force is changed
1
to 4F and the mass is changed to half the mass, what will the acceleration be?
1
A a C. 2a
2
1
B a D. 4a
4

36. The height above the surface of the earth at which an astronaut will experience a third
of the gravitational force to which he is subjected on the earth, is times the radius of
the earth.
A 0,73 C. 8
B 1,73 D. 9

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37. Three objects of masses 2 kg, 1,5 kg and 0,5 kg

respectively, are suspended by means of a thin string as
shown in the diagram. What is the tension that the string
experiences at T1?
A 39,2 N
B 34,3 N
C 19,6 N
D 4,9 N
38. Which ONE of Newton’s Laws is in control of a spacecraft traveling through space
without using fuel?
A Newton’s First Law
B Newton’s Second Law
C Newton’s Third Law
D Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
39. A toy racing car of weight 30 N
is moving on a straight level
road with a rough surface at a
constant velocity. The force of
the engine of the car is 50 N.
Which one of the following is
the resultant force acting on the car?
A 50 N to the right
B 50 N to the left
C 0N
D 30 N
40. A car of mass m collides head-on with a truck of mass 2 m. If the car exerts a force of
magnitude F on the truck during the collision, the magnitude of the force that the
truck exerts on the car is …
A ½F
B F
C 2F
D 4F

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41. Two forces act on a crate to pull it to the left.

The crate lies on a horizontal frictionless
surface as shown in the diagram.
Which vector diagram correctly shows how the
resultant force R on the crate can be
determined?

42. A crate moves at a v across a horizontal surface

AB, after which it slides down the slope BC. The
coefficient of kinetic friction is the same
throughout ABC.
Which ONE of the following statements is true?
A fk(slope) < fk(horizontal)
B fk(slope) > fk(horizontal)
C fk(slope) = fk(horizontal)
D µkN(slope) > µkN(horizontal)
43. A girl, mass 50 kg stands on a bathroom scale in a lift. If the reading on the scale is
560 N, then …
A The lift moves upwards at a constant velocity.
B The lift moves upwards at a constant acceleration.
C The lift moves downwards at a constant velocity.
D The lift moves downwards at a constant acceleration
44. The following graph shows the relationship between gravitational force and the mass
of the object near the surface of the earth.
The gradient of the graph represents...
A Mass of the earth.
B Radius of the earth.
C Gravitation acceleration of the earth.
D Weight of the object.

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45. The gravitational force F, exerted on each other by two identical metal spheres, each
with a mass M and separated by a distance x, can be represented as in the diagram
below.

Two other metal spheres with masses of M and 3M respectively are ½ x apart.

M 3M

Which ONE of the following diagrams best represents the new forces which these
two spheres experience?

Grade 11 Mechanics MA Liebenberg