1.3 Challenging Forces Workbook
1.3 Challenging Forces Workbook
iGCSE Physics
Workbook
1.3 – Challenging
Forces
Henry Tsang
Name:________________
Mr Do
Physics Teacher:______________
Syllabus Statements
1.2 Motion
Define speed and calculate average speed from: v = s/t
Define velocity as speed in a given direction
Recall and use the equation average speed = total distance travelled / total time taken
Define acceleration as change in velocity per unit time; recall and use the equation a= Δv/Δt
Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time and speed–time graphs
Know that an object moving with increasing speed is accelerating, and that an object moving with decreasing speed is
decelerating
Determine, qualitatively, from given data or the shape of a distance–time graph or speed–time graph when an object is:
(a) at rest (b) moving with constant speed (c) accelerating (d) decelerating
Determine from given data or the shape of a speed–time graph when an object is moving with: (a) constant acceleration
(b) changing acceleration (a) at rest (b) moving with constant speed (c) accelerating (d) decelerating
Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight line section of a distance–time graph
Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph
Calculate the area under a speed–time graph to determine the distance travelled for motion with constant speed or
constant acceleration
Know that a deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations
State that the acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface of the Earth is approximately constant and is
approximately 9.8 m/s²
Describe the motion of objects falling in a uniform gravitational field with and without air/ liquid resistance (including
reference to terminal velocity)
P1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Describe how to measure a variety of time intervals using clocks and digital timers
Determine an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the
period of oscillation of a pendulum)
Understand that a scalar quantity has magnitude (size) only and that a vector quantity has magnitude and direction
Know that the following quantities are scalars: distance, speed, time, mass, energy and temperature
Know that the following quantities are vectors: force, weight, velocity, acceleration, momentum, electric field strength and
gravitational field strength
Determine, by calculation or graphically, the resultant of two vectors at right angles, limited to forces or velocities only
2
Key Words
EEPEA
Air Resistance The Force acting against your movement in air.
Caused by collision with air particles.
↑
Acceleration The rate of change of speed.
T
Balanced The forces on an object that cancel each other out. No
Force resultant force.
Fin
Gradient The steepness of a line. Calculated by
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
.
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
E
Gravitational This is weight. Gravity is a field that causes objects to
force. weigh something.
#
Newton The unit for Force. [N]
Resultant The overall Force remaining after you have added and
Force subtracted all the forces from each other. Est
*
Scalar Something with only magnitude. Just a number.
Upthrust
tension in a rope during a tug of war.
An upward force on an object in a liquid or gas. This
ID
force is caused by the particles wanting to get back
underneath the object that moved them. /
Vector Something with both direction and magnitude. For
example, a Force. *
Weight The downward force on an object. Due to gravity
pulling it towards the earth. This can be different on
different planets. E
3
1: Newtons Second Law
Knowledge and Understanding Check
Can you answer the following questions using your knowledge from last lesson and from before?
1. If a box is being pulled to the right with 15N and to the left with 8N, what is the resultant force on the
box?
TN right ……………………….[3]
2. Give an example of a vector quantity.
Momentum
……………………………………………………………… [1]
3. Sketch a box below that is being acted upon by 3 forces that when added together give a resultant
force of 0N. (HINT: Draw any triangle, the length and direction of the sides are the forces).
21
34 1 I
[3]
22N 3 3N . [4]
Moss =Ng =
63.5lg ……………………….[3]
[Score /14]
4
Key Ideas
Fa
>
- 30+
>
- sat
-
on
5
1. 2.
on
Resultant Force = ……. ………... right left
RN ………...
Resultant Force = …….
om/g2
Acceleration = ……………………….. 2m/s2
Acceleration = ……………………….
3. 4.
476N
Resultant Force = ……. ………... ? left I8N …………
Resultant Force = ……. right
47
Acceleration = ………………………..
. 6 mys 2 m/s2
Acceleration = ……………………….
5. 6.
125N 5.2N
1kg
53kg
72N 11.2N
53N N right
Acceleration = …………………… imp
Resultant Force = ……. ………... Resultant Force = ……. …………
6 uls
Acceleration = …………………….
7. 8.
103N 66N
34N 60N
INleft GH down
69Nup t
Resultant Force = ……. ………...
Acceleration = ……………………
Resultant Force = ……. …………
3m/st Nam
Acceleration = …………………….
mys2 left
4
6
Key Ideas
1. An object will not change its velocity unless an unbalanced force acts upon it.
Force, mass and acceleration are linked in the equation:
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 × 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
2. This means that if the same unbalanced force was applied to two objects of different masses. The
object with the smaller mass would accelerate more.
Worked Examples
1. What unbalanced force is required to accelerate a 6kg mass by 2m/s 2?
Glegy Cm/s =
12N
F =
2. An object experiences an unbalanced force of 16N and accelerates at 8m/s2. What must the mass of
the object have been?
16N = mXSm/s
2 kg
m =
7
Worksheet – Newton’s 2nd Law
Complete the questions below using the equation you have just learnt. You must show all of your working
[equation, substitution, solution and units]
1. How much force is required to accelerate a 2 kg mass at 3 m/s 2?
6N
F =
21gX3m/s =
…………………..
F 12kg x5m/j
=
60N =
…………………..
Tomyse
F 5kgx
=
=
wor …………………..
100New
xWm/s2
m= 10 kg …………………..
4 mys?
88 = m
x
m=
22N …………………..
a= = …………………..
Sky
8
m=
8. What is the acceleration of an 18 kg mass pushed by a 9 N force?
my
=E 0 5 .
=
a
…………………..
9. Find the acceleration of the 2 kg block in the following diagram.
4N left ?
mys
g =
2
O
…………………..
10. Find the acceleration of the 500g block in the following diagram
HN down
8 M/s2
a = 2
…………………..
11. If a 600g object is accelerating at 2m/s , what is the unbalanced force acting on it?
2N
0 6kg x&m/s2
=
1
F
.
…………………..
12. Given a force of 560 kN and an acceleration of 3 m/s2, what is the mass?
EEOKN =
3m/s
N
3m/
Mu
= 186 7 Tonnes
.
…………………..
9
2: Terminal Velocity
Learning Outcomes:
Terminal Velocity
zero
fulls
increase
balance
Constant
Key Ideas
1. At the point of release the only force acting on an object is weight.
2. This unbalanced force causes the object to accelerate
3. As the object accelerates the drag force begins to increase
4. As the object gains speed the drag force increases
5. Eventually the drag force is equal in magnitude to weight and the forces are balanced. This means
there will be no acceleration.
6. This causes the object to travel at a constant speed which we call terminal velocity.
10
Worksheet: Terminal Velocity
Here is the velocity data for a base jumper.
1. Plot an appropriate graph and draw a smooth curve that passes through each point [5]
Time [s] 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Velocity
0 28 43 48 50 50 50 49 12 10 10 10 10
Opens
[m/s]
Parachute
50 XXX
F y
40 Deceleration
Terminalocity
that
30 speedhit the
Aeration ground
X
jumper
20
X
X X
IP X X
0 010 15 20 25
Time B 4045 20 00
60
3. Describe how the forces on the base jumper change during their journey. [5]
Much
First Drag
=0
,
3 Speed Acc
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
,
↑ . ↑ Weight Dag
As Speed - Velocity , Acc , Speed ↑ Slowly
> Terminal Weight) Pray
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Slightly
WhenTerminal Velocity is Reached Speed Cons AccZer Weight
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… , Day
.
Deacceleration
When Parachute Opens Speed t
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ,
Drug) Weight
,
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
increase
slowing down
decreases
weight
terminal velocity
Extension : Add free body force diagrams to the graph to show what is happening at each
stage. Number them 1-5
· E
8
F &
*
2
o
12
3: Terminal Velocity Investigated
You will be measuring the time it takes the ball to fall through section _________.
We can then calculate the objects velocity using the following equation:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Method/Diagram
13
Results
10
11
12
13
Plot your results on the graph below (distance on the x-axis, velocity on the y-axis)
14
I4: Surface Area and Terminal Velocity
In this investigation you are going to investigate Health and Safety Check!
how the surface area of an object affects its terminal
Keep neodymium magnet
velocity.
away from electronics
You will be using a number of different metal spheres.
How will you measure and calculate the maximum cross sectional area of your sphere?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Method
1. Measure and calculate the maximum cross sectional area of each of your spheres using your method
above.
2. Fill your measuring cylinder with a viscous liquid (leaving 5cm empty at the top of the measuring
cylinder
3. Put two markings on your cylinder with board marker as per the diagram below
4. Measure the distance between your markings.
5. Drop your ball into the liquid and time how long it takes the ball to pass between the markings.
6. Use the magnet to remove the ball bearing.
7. Repeat 3 times and take an average.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 for different sizes of ball bearings.
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Results
Time [ ] Velocity
Area [ ]
Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Attempt 3 Average [ ]
Conclusions
1. Was there any relationship between surface area and terminal velocity? Can you explain this result by
linking to drag?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Ideally all the ball bearings would have had the same weight, explain why this would have been better?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Why did we not start timing the ball as soon as it entered the surface of the liquid?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Explain why the ball bearings are reaching terminal velocity inside the viscous fluid.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
16
Stretch Worksheet – Newton’s 1st and 3rd Laws.
Newton's three laws of motion are the foundation of classical mechanics. They describe how objects behave when forces act upon them, helping us understand and predict motion in everyday life and
scientific applications.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
---
**Formula:**
There is no specific formula for this law, but it can be expressed conceptually as:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- **ΣF = 0**
(If the net force on an object is zero, its velocity remains constant.)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
**Why It's Useful:**
- Explains why objects resist changes in their motion.
- Helps us understand equilibrium (objects at rest or moving uniformly).
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
**When to Use:**
- To analyze objects that are stationary or moving at constant speed.
- To understand why seatbelts are necessary (to counteract inertia during sudden stops).
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
---
**Formula:**
- **F = ma**
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Where:
- **F** = net force (N)
- **m** = mass (kg)
- **a** = acceleration (m/s²)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
**Why It's Useful:**
- Shows how force, mass, and acceleration are related.
- Essential for calculating the motion of objects under forces.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
**When to Use:**
- To determine the acceleration of an object when forces are applied.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- To calculate the force needed to move or stop an object (e.g., in engineering or vehicle design).
---
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
### Newton's Third Law: **Action and Reaction**
**Definition:**
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When one body exerts a force on another, the second body exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
**Formula:**
- **F₁ = -F₂**
Where:
- **F₁** = force exerted by object 1 on object 2
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- **F₂** = force exerted by object 2 on object 1
**When to Use:**
- To analyze systems involving interacting objects (e.g., a rocket launch, walking, or swimming).
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- To study forces in collisions or other dynamic systems.
---
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
### Practical Applications of Newton's Laws
1. **First Law (Inertia):**
- Used in designing safety features like airbags and helmets.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Helps explain why objects need force to change their state of motion.
---
**In Summary:**
Newton's laws are essential for understanding and predicting motion. They can be applied to everything from everyday tasks like driving to complex scientific fields like space exploration, making them
some of the most fundamental principles in physics.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-1/Newton-s-First-Law
https://www.livescience.com/46561-newton-third-law.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Newt.html
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4: Graphs of Motion
1. A resultant force of 600N acts on an object with a mass of 3kg. What acceleration will this cause?
mys
a = GOOD =
20
……………………….[3]
319
2. An object accelerates from rest (0m/s) to 25m/s in 8s. What is the acceleration of this object?
a = =
3 - 15m/ge
……………………….[3]
3. How long will it take a car to come to a stop if it has an initial speed of 30m/s and has a deceleration of
6m/s2?
B st 5
=
↓ ……………………….[3]
4. A car begins at a speed of 5m/s and accelerates at 5m/s 2 over a distance of 45m, calculate the final
speed of the car.
as
=
=
t ……………………….[4]
5 m/s2y
[Score /13]
5m/s +
Final Sid
=
18
Learning Outcomes:
Motion Graphs
Distance -Time Graph Velocity-Time Graph
19
Worked Examples – Motion Graphs
2. B ⧫ C?
spd Oms =
3. C ⧫ D?
Spamcom/s
B. 1. How fast is the object going in the first
2 seconds?
15
On 15 w/s
10
Dist = Ex 20 x 2 + 8x20 +
Exc0x2 +
1x2 =
210
C. Below is a distance-time graph. Can you sketch the associated velocity time graph for the journey?
1
02 46
20
Challenging
Forces
Past Paper
Questions
21
Q1.
The graph shows how the velocity of an aircraft changes as it accelerates along a runway.
n
Augte mess
(a) Use the graph to find the average acceleration of the aircraft.
(3)
22
(b) Explain why the acceleration is not constant, even though the engines produce a
constant force.
(3)
Acceleration is changed when a car
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
23
Q2.
Measuring Tape
1 ................................................................................................................................................
Stop Watch
2 ................................................................................................................................................
X
X
X
61m 24
Distance walked = ........................................................... m
(d) (i) Describe how Jenny's speed changed during the investigation.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(1)
Gradient
changing
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
25
Q3.
(a) Parachutes are used to slow down a spacecraft as it falls through the atmosphere.
Photograph G shows an Apollo spacecraft with three parachutes attached.
26
(iii) Photograph H shows an identical Apollo spacecraft. Only two of its parachutes
are working.
Explain how the constant velocity reached by this spacecraft compares with
the constant velocity of the spacecraft shown in photograph G.
(2)
The would be higher
constant velocity as
.............................................................................................................................................
,
would be
more drag needed to balance
.............................................................................................................................................
the weight .
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
27
(b) Photograph I shows a Space Shuttle using a parachute when it lands on a runway.
Explain what would happen to the stopping distance of the Shuttle if this parachute
did not open.
.............................................................................................................................................
28
Q4.
A student investigates the motion of different falling masses by measuring the time taken for empty cupcake
cases to fall from a window.
Stop Watch
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................
Electronic Balance
2 ..........................................................................................................................................
(b) What are the dependent and independent variables in this investigation?
(2)
dependent variable
mas of cupcake cases
.............................................................................................................................................
full
independent variable
Time taken for aspcake case to
.............................................................................................................................................
(c) State one factor that the student should keep constant in order to make this investigation valid (a fair test).
(1)
Size of upcale cases
.............................................................................................................................................
zatends units
29
(e) State one way that the student can improve his investigation.
(1)
Do more trials
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(f) The student notices that the cases accelerate and then fall at constant speed.
(i) The arrows in the diagrams show the size and direction of the forces acting on a case at different points
in its fall.
Label the forces on the middle diagram.
(2)
(ii) Explain why the case accelerates and then falls at constant speed.
↑, Drag
(3)
At start Spe 0 0
, As Spd
Drag until
= =
.............................................................................................................................................
Teminal
Velocity where Drag Weight
.............................................................................................................................................
:
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 13 marks)
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