AS Physical Quantities & Units

Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
1(g) Estimation (Answers) MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com
Q. 1 Give an SI unit and an estimate of the magnitude of each of the following physical quantities.
(Marks will be awarded for the correct order of magnitude of each estimate, not necessary for its
accuracy).
Physical Quantity Magnitude unit

the weight of an adult 585 to 980 N

the power of a hair drier 400 to 1000 W

the energy required to bring to the boil a kettle full of
7500 to 315000 J
water
the resistance of a domestic lamp 240 to 960 Ω

the wavelength of visible light 400 to 700 × 10-9 m

Mass of a cricket ball kg

Q. 2 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.
(a) mass of an apple
mass = allow 50 g to 500 g [1]
(b) number of joules of energy in 1 kilowatt-hour
number = allow 3M J to 4M J [1]
(c) wavelength of red light in a vacuum
wavelength = allow 600 to 800 n m [1]
(d) pressure due to a depth of 10 m of water
pressure = allow 5 × 104 to 5× 105 Pa [1]
{Q. 1/June 2002/9702}
Q. 3 Make estimates of the following quantities.
(a) the speed of sound in air
speed = allow 100 ms-1 to 900 ms-1 [1]
(b) the density of air at room temperature and pressure
density = allow 0.5 kg m-3 to 1.5 kg m-3 [1]
(c) the mass of a protector
mass = 5 to 50 g [1]
(d) the volume, in cm3, of the head of an adult person
volume = allow 2 × 103 cm3 to 9 × 103 cm3 [1]
{Q. 1/June 2005/9702}
Q. 4 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.
(a) the frequency of audible sound wave
frequency = allow anything in the range 20 Hz to 20 kHz [1]
(b) the wavelength, in nm, of ultraviolet radiation
wavelength = allow anything in the range 10 nm to 400 nm [1]
(c) the mass of a plastic 30 cm ruler
mass = allow anything in the range 10 g to 100 g [1]
(d) the density of air at atmospheric pressure
density = allow anything in the range 0.1 kg m-3 to 10 kg m-3 [1]
{Q. 1/June 2008/9702}
Q. 5Make estimates of the following quantities:

(a) Length of a car 4m (b) diameter of a hair 5 × 10-4 m

(c) diameter of an atom 3 × 10-10 m (d) diameter of a nucleus 6 × 10-15 m

(e) mass of an adult human 55 to 95 kg (f) The diameter of a pencil 0.5 to 1 cm

(g) Volume of a pea 0.5 cm3 (h) The speed of a jumbo jet 220 m s-1

(i) The temperature of the human body 310 K (j) The height of ceiling in a room 2.5-3.5m
June 18/12/Q.2
Nov 13/12/Q.3
Nov 13/11/Q.3
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
Physical Quantities and Units MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
akhtar@salt.org.pk

1. Which of the following is not an SI base unit 9. When a beam of light is incident on a surface, it
(Systeme International Units)? delivers energy to the surface. The intensity of
A Kelvin (K) B coulomb (C) the beam is defined as the energy delivered per
C second (s) D Ampere (A) unit area per unit time.
What is the unit of intensity, expressed in SI base
2. Which of the following quantities do not carry units?
any units? A kg m–2 s–1 B kg m2 s–3 C kg s–2 D kg s–3
Refractive
A Impulse
Index 10. Which of the following definitions is correct and
Electric Electric field uses only quantities rather than units?
B A Density is mass per cubic metre.
potential strength
Power / B Potential difference is energy per unit current.
C Strain C Pressure is force per unit area.
Energy
Refractive D Speed is distance travelled per second.
D Strain
Index
11. Which of the following statements is false?
3. What is the special name given to the unit of A A homogeneous equation is a physical correct
electromotive force of a battery, and what are the equation.
base units of electromotive force? B The principle of homogeneity of an equation
2 -3 -1
A V, kg m s A cannot determine the value of a unitless constant
B N, kg m s-2 in an equation.
2 -3 -1
C N, kg m s A C For an equation to be physically correct, it must
D V, kg m s -2 have dimensional consistency.
D The principle of homogeneity of an equation of
4. The electrical power, P dissipated in a resistor of an equation cannot discriminate between two
resistance R when a current I passes through the quantities having the same units(e.g. length of
2
resistor is given by P=I R. How may R be pendulum string, radius of pendulum bob).
expressed in base units?
A A2 kg-1 m-2 s3 B kg m2 s-2 A-2 12. Which of the following has different SI units from
2 -3 -2
C kg m s A DWA -2 the other.
A stress x strain B stress / strain
5. Which of the following pairs of quantities are C potential energy per unit volume
both scalars? D Moment of a force
A speed, velocity B current, charge
C pressure, force 13. The unit of strain are
D electric potential, work A mass / (length x time2) B (length)-1
C length D no units
6. The Young’s modulus of a material E is given by
14. What is the SI base unit of pressure?
E = (F / A) / (e / l) A kg m s-2 B kg m2 s-2
-1 -2
Where C kg m s D kg m-2 s-2
F = force exerted on cross-sectional area A of the
material. 15. .A sphere of radius ‘r’ moving with a velocity ‘V’
e = deformation produced (an extension or under steamline conditions in a viscous fluid
compression) experiences a retarding force, given by F = KrV ,
l = original length of the material. where ‘K’ is constant. The units of ‘K’ are
E possesses a unit similar to A kg m2 s-1 B kg s-1 m-1
-2 -2
A work B power C kg m s D kg m s-2
C energy D pressure
16. which one of the following pairs of electrical units
7. Which is a pair of SI base units? are the units not equivalent?
A ampere joule A J s-1; W B J C-1; V
-1
B coulomb second CAs ; C D N c-1; V m-1
C kilogram kelvin
D metre newton 17. What is the ratio 1µm / 1 Gm ?
A 10-3 B 10-9 C 10-12 D 10-15
8. If p is the momentum of an object of mass m,
then the expression p2 / m has the same units as Note
A acceleration B energy For formulae see back side of this work sheet
C force D impulse
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
akhtar@salt.org.pk
Formulae
1. Refractive index: Refractive index = speed of light in vacuum or air ; n=c/v
speed of light in any medium

2. Impulse: Impulse = (Force)(time) = Change of momentum ; F∆t = m(v – u)

3. Electric Potential: Electric Potential = Work done / charge ; V=W/Q

4. Electric field strength: Electric field strength = Force / charge = P.d/ distance ; E=F / Q = V /d

5. Strain: Strain = extension / original length ; ε=e/l

6. Stress: Stress = force / cross-sectional Area ; б=F/A

7. Moment of a force: Torque = (force)(perpendicular distance) ; τ = (F)(d)

8. Momentum: Momentum = (mass)(velocity) ; P = mv

Answer grid:
Q.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Answer

Paper 2 (Structured theory) :

1. For each of the four concepts listed in the left hand column, place a tick by the correct example
of that concept in the appropriate box. [4]
Concept
A base quantity mole length kilogram

A base unit coulomb ampere volt

A scalar quantity torque velocity kinetic energy

A vector quantity mass weight density

2. Complete following table to show each quantity and its unit. [4]

quantity unit
speed
m s-1
density
…………………………

…………………………….. s-1
electric field strength
.......................................

…………………………….. kg m s-1

3. (a) With the aid of an example, explain the statement “The magnitude of a physical quantity is
written as the product of a number and a unit”.

............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Explain why an equation must be homogeneous with respect to the units if it is to be correct.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]
(c) Write down an equation which is homogeneous, but still incorrect.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
CIE Questions on Physical Quantities and Units MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
akhtar@salt.org.pk

1. A cylindrical tube rolling down a slope of inclination θ 9. Which of the following could be measured in the
moves a distance L in time T. The equation relating same units as force?
these quantities is A energy / distance B energy x distance
C energy / time D momentum x distance
{Q.2/June.2004/9702-1}

10. The notation µs is used as an abbreviation for a

Where a is the internal radius of the tube and P and Q
certain unit of time.
are constants.
What is the name and value of this unit?
Which line gives the correct units for P and Q?
P Q name value
A m2 m2s-2
B m2 ms-2 A microsecond 10 –6 s
C m2 m3s-2
3 B microsecond 10 –3 s
D m ms-2
{Q.4/Nov. 2011/9702/11} C millisecond 10 –6 s
2. Which pair of units are both SI base units? D millisecond 10 –3 s
A ampere, degree Celsius B ampere, Kelvin {Q.3/June.2004/9702-1}
C coulomb, degree Celsius D coulomb. Kelvin
{Q.1/Nov.2005,June 2002/9702-1} 11. A student measures a current as 0.5 A. Which of the
3. following correctly expresses this result?
The prefix ‘centi’ indicates x 10-2 Which line in the A 50mA B 50MA C 500mA D 500MA
table correctly indicates the prefixes micro, nano and {Q.1/Nov.2003/9702-1}
pico? 12.
x 10 -12
x 10 -9
x 10 -6 The momentum of an object of mass m is p. Which
quantity has tehsame base units as p2/m?
A nano Micro pico A enrgy B force C power D velocity
{Q.3/Nov.2000/9702-1}
B nano Pico micro
The unit of work, the joule, may be defined as the
13. work done when the point of application of a force
C pico Nano micro
of 1 newton is moved a distance of 1 metre in the
D pico Micro nano direction of the force.
{Q.2/Nov.2005, Nov 2002/9702-1} Express the joule in terms of the base units of mass,
length and time, the kg, m and s.
Which quantity is measured in electronvolts (eV)? A kg m–1 s2 B kg m2 s–2
4. A electric charge B electric potential C kg m s2 –1
C kg s–2
C energy D power {Q.2/June.2003/9702-1}
{Q.1/Nov. 2011/9702/12}
14. Which formula could be correct for the speed v of
Which group of quantities contains only vectors? ocean waves in terms of the density ρ of sea water,
5. the acceleration of free fall g, the depth h of the
A acceleration, displacement, speed
B acceleration, work, electric field strength ocean and the wave length λ.
C displacement, force, velocity A v = √gλ B v = √g/h
D power, electric field strength, force C v = √ρgh D v = √ g/ρ
{Q.1/Nov. 2011/9702/13} {Q.3/June.2002/9702-1}
6. 15. Which of the following is a base quantity with its
To check calculations, the units are put into the correct S.I. unit?
following equations together with the numbers. Quantity Unit
Which equation must be incorrect?
A force = 300 J / 6 m B power = 6000 J × 20 s A Current A
C time = 6 m / 30 m s–1 D velocity = 4 m s–2 × 30 s B Mass G
{Q.1/June 2011/9702/11}
C Temperature °C
7. Which of the following definitions is correct and uses D weight N
only quantities rather than units?
A Density is mass per cubic metre. {Q.1/ Nov. 2001/8702-1}
B Potential difference is energy per unit current. 16.
Four physical quantitiesP, Q, R and S are related by
C Pressure is force per unit area. the equation P =Q – RS. Which statement must be
D Speed is distance travelled per second. correct for the equation to be homogeneous?
{Q.2/Nov.2004/9702-1} A P, Q, R and S all have the same units.
8. B P, Q, R and S are all scalar quantities.
When a beam of light is incident on a surface, it C The product RS has the same units as P and Q.
delivers energy to the surface. The intensity of D The product RS is numerically equal to (Q and P)
the beam is defined as the energy delivered per unit {Q.1/Nov. 1999/9243/1}
area per unit time. What is the unit of intensity,
expressed in SI base units? Show that Pressure = density x (speed)2 is
A kg m–2 s–1 B kg m2 s–3 C kg s–2 D kg s–3 17. homogeneous equation. {Q.1 (b)//June 01/8702-2}
{Q.3/Nov.2004/9702-1}
 5

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
1 The volume V of liquid flowing in time t through a pipe of radius r is given by the equation Use

V
=
π Pr 4
t 8Cl

where P is the pressure difference between the ends of the pipe of length l, and C depends
on the frictional effects of the liquid.

An experiment is performed to determine C. The measurements made are shown in Fig. 1.1.

V
/ 10–6 m3 s–1 P / 103 N m–2 r / mm l /m
t

1.20 ± 0.01 2.50 ± 0.05 0.75 ± 0.01 0.250 ± 0.001

Fig. 1.1

(a) Calculate the value of C.

C = ..................................... N s m–2 [2]

(b) Calculate the uncertainty in C.

uncertainty = ..................................... N s m–2 [3]

(c) State the value of C and its uncertainty to the appropriate number of significant figures.

C = ........................................... ± ........................................... N s m–2 [1]

© UCLES 2012 9702/22/M/J/12 [Turn over

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) Define density.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Fig. 1.1 shows a solid pyramid with a square base.

pyramid,
density ρ
mass m

x
x

Fig. 1.1

The mass m of the pyramid is given by

1
m= ρhx2
3
where ρ is the density of the material of the pyramid,
h is the height, and
x is the length of each side of the base.

Measurements are taken as shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

percentage
quantity measurement
uncertainty
m 19.5 g ± 2%
x 4.0 cm ± 5%
h 4.8 cm ± 4%

(i) Calculate the absolute uncertainty in length x.

absolute uncertainty = ................................................... cm [1]

© UCLES 2021 9702/21/M/J/21

 5

(ii) The density ρ is calculated from the measurements in Table 1.1.

Determine the percentage uncertainty in the calculated value of ρ.

percentage uncertainty = ..................................................... % [2]

(c) The square base of the pyramid in (b) rests on the horizontal surface of a bench.

Use data from Table 1.1 to calculate the average pressure of the pyramid on the surface of
the bench. The uncertainty in your answer is not required.

pressure = .................................................... Pa [3]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2021 9702/21/M/J/21 [Turn over

 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
ERRORS AND UNCERTAINTIES (Page 1) MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com

1. When asked to determine the resistance R of a closed. The new reading is shown in diagram 2
given conductor from 6 sets of voltage V and
current I readings, student A plotted V against I
and obtained the gradient of the plot while
student B found R by averaging 6 sets of (V, I )
readings. Which of the following statements is
correct?
(A) Procedure taken by student A will only reduce
Diagram 1
random errors computed for R.
(B) Procedure taken by student B will only reduce
the systematic errors in finding R.
(C) Procedure taken by student A reduces both
systematic and random errors.
(D) Procedure taken by student B is basically the
same in effect as taken by student A.
Diagram 2
2. Which of the following experimental techniques
reduces the systematic error of the quantity being What is the diameter of the wire?
investigated? (A) 1.90mm (B) 2.45mm
(A) timing a large number of oscillations to find a (C) 2.59mm (D) 2.73mm
period
(B) measuring several antinodal distances on a
standing wave to find the mean internodal 6. Which of the following recorded measurements of
distance. a physical quantity has the greatest percentage
(C) measuring the diameter of a wire repeatedly uncertainty?
and calculating the average. (A) (243 ± 1) g (B) (76.4 ± 0.2) mm
(D) Adjusting an ammeter to remove its zero error (C) (22.43 ± 0.01) s (D) (36.4 ± 0.5) mA
before measuring a current.
7. The resistance of an unknown resistor can be
3. When comparing systematic and random errors, found by formula R=V/I.
the following pairs of properties of errors in an The voltmeter reading has a 3 % uncertainty and
experimental measurement may be considered: the ammeter has a 2% uncertainty.
P1 : error can possibly be eliminated What is the uncertainty in the calculated
P2 : error cannot possibly be eliminated resistance?
Q1 : error is of constant sign and magnitude (A) 1.5% (B) 5 % (C) 3% (D) 6%
Q2 : error is of varying sign and magnitude
R1 : error will be reduced by averaging repeated 8. A thermometer can be read to an accuracy of
measurements ± 0.5 °C. This thermometer is used to measure a
R2 : error will not be reduced by averaging temperature rise from 40 °C to 100 °C.
repeated measurements. What is the percentage uncertainty in the
Which properties apply to random errors? measurement of temperature rise?
(A) P1 , Q1 , R2 (B) P1 , Q2 , R2 (A) 0.5% (B) 0.8% (C) 1.3% (D) 1.7%
(C) P2 , Q2 , R1 (D) P2 , Q1 , R1

4. Which experimental technique reduces the 9. In an experiment, the length and breadth of a
systematic error of the quantity being rectangular card was found to be (64 ± 2) mm and
investigated? (47 ± 1) mm respectively.
(A) adjusting an ammeter to remove its zero error The uncertainty in the area is at most
before measuring a current (A) 75 mm2 (B) 150 mm2
(B) measuring several internodal distances on a (C) 100 mm2 (D) 200 mm2
standing wave to find the mean internodal
distance
An experiment is done to measure the resistance of a
(C) measuring the diameter of a wire repeatedly 10. wire.
and calculating the average The current in the wire is 1.0 ± 0.2 A and the potential
(D) timing a large number of oscillations to find difference across the wire is 8.0 ± 0.4 V.
a period What is the resistance of the wire and its uncertainty?
(A)
5. A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure the (B)
diameter of a copper wire. The reading with the (C )
wire in position is shown in diagram 1. The wire (D)
is removed and the jaws of the micrometer are
11. The dimensions of a cube are measured with 17. The following are the readings of a travelling
vernier calipers. microscope when the cross-wires are aligned at
opposite ends of a diameter of a capillary bore.
R1 = (21.14 ± 0.01) cm
30 mm R2 = (20.98 ± 0.01) cm
What is the maximum percentage uncertainty in
the area of the cross-section of the capillary bore?
(A) 13 % (B) 25 %
30 mm (C) 18 % (D) 29 %
30 mm
18. Using a micrometer, the diameter of apiece of
The measured length of each side is 30 mm. If wire was found to be (0.15 ± 0.01) mm. The area
the vernier calipers can be read with an of cross-section of the wire may be quoted as
uncertainty of ± 0.1 mm, what does this give for (A) 0.01767 ± 0.00236 mm2
the approximate uncertainty in the value of its (B) 0.0176714 ± 0.002356 mm2
volume? (C) (1.76 ± 0.24) x 10-2 mm2
(A) 1/27 % (B) 0.3 % (C) 1/3 % (D) 1% (D) (0.018 ± 0.002) mm2
The diameter, height and mass of a given
12. 19. The wall thickness of a cylindrical glass tube is
cylinder are found to be (3.6 ± 0.1) cm, (2.8 ±
determined by measuring its external and internal
0.1) cm and (56 ± 1)g respectively. The density
diameters with the help of vernier calipers. If the
of the cylinder can be quoted as
readings obtained are (27.23 ± 0.01) cm and
(A) (1.97 ± 0.22) g cm-3
(24.15 ± 0.01) cm respectively, the wall thickness
(B) (1.9 ± 0.2) g cm-3
of the glass tubing is
(C) (2.00 ± 0.22) g cm-3
(A) 3.08 ± 0.02 cm (B) 1.54 ± 0.02 cm
(D) (2.0 ± 0.2) g cm-3
(C) 3.08 ± 0.01 cm (D) 1.54 ± 0.01 cm
In an experiment, a radio-controlled car takes
13. 20. A student finds the density of liquid by measuring
2.50 ± 0.05 s to travel 40.0 ± 0.1 m.
its mass and its volume. The following is a
What is th
summary of his measurements.
uncertainty in this value? Mass of empty beaker = (20 ± 1) g
-1 -1
(A) 16 ± 1 m s (B) 16.0 ± 0.2 m s Mass of empty beaker + liquid = (70 ± 1) g
(C) 16.0 ± 0.4 m s-1 (D) 16.00 ± 0.36 m s-1 Volume of liquid =(10.0 ± 0.6) cm3
He correctly calculates the density of the liquid as
5.0 g cm-3.
In a simple electrical circuit, the current in a What is the uncertainty in this value?
14.
resistor is measured as (2.50 ± 0.05) mA. The (A) 0.3 g cm-3 (B) 0.5 g cm-3
resis (C) 0.6 g cm -3
(D) 2.6 g cm-3
2%.
If these values were used to calculate the power A student uses a metre rule to measure the length
dissipated in the resistor, what would be the
21. of an elastic band before and after stretching it.
percentage uncertainty in the value obtained? The lengths are recorded as
(A) 2 % (B) 4 % (C) 6 % (D) 8 % band before stretching, Lo = 50.0 ± 0.1 cm
band after stretching, Ls = 51.6 ± 0.1 cm.
A student makes measurements from which she Determine
15.
calculates the speed of sound as 327.66 ms 1.She (a) the change in length (Ls - Lo), quoting your
estimates that her result is accurate to ±3 %. answer with its uncertainty,
Which of the following gives her result
expressed to the appropriate number of (Ls - Lo [1]
significant figures? (b) the fractional change in length, (Ls - Lo)
(A) 327.7 ms 1 (B) 328 ms 1 Lo
(C) 330 ms 1 (D) 300 ms 1
[1]
(c) the uncertainty in your answer in (b).
The power loss P in a resistor is calculated
16.
Using the formula
P= V2/R.

The uncertainty in the potential difference V is

3% and the uncertainty in the resistances R is
2%. What is the uncertainty in P?
(A) 4% (B) 7% (C) 8% (D) 11%
[3]
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

VECTORS
VECTORS
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com, 0300-4939319

1. Which pair contains one vector and one 8. Two forces, each of 10 N, act at a point P as hown
scalar quantity? in the diagram. The angle between the directions of
A displacement : acceleration the forces is 120°.
B force : kinetic energy
C momentum : velocity 10 N
D power : speed

2. Which list contains only scalar quantities?

A mass, acceleration, temperature, kinetic 120°
energy 10 N
B mass, pressure, electric potential, kinetic P
energy What is the magnitude of the resultant force?
C acceleration, temperature, volume, A5N B 10 N C 17 N D 20 N
electric charge
D moment, impulse, density, electric field 9. Figure shows three force vectors.
4N
3. Which line in the table correctly identifies
force, kinetic energy and momentum as
scalar or vector quantities? 3N
Kinetic
Force Momentum
energy 1N
A scalar vector vector Which of the following vectors A, B, C, D would
B vector scalar scalar be most likely to represent their resultant.
C vector scalar vector
D vector vector vector A B C D

4. Forces of 4N and 6N act at a point. Which

of the following could not be the magnitude
of their resultant? Two forces act on a circular disc as shown in the
A1N B6N C8N D 10 N 10. diagram.
3N
5. The following physical quantities can be
either positive or negative.
4N
s: displacement of a particle along a
straight line
θ: temperature on the Celsius scale Which arrow best shows the line of action of the
q : electric charge resultant forces. A
V: reading on a digital voltmeter B
C D
Which of these quantities are vectors?
A s, θ, q, V B s, q, V
C θ, V D s only

6. Find the angle between two equal forces F

when their resultant is also equal to F.
A 120° B 135° C 45° D 60° The vector diagram shows three coplanar forces
11. acting on an object at P
7. A force of 5 N may be represented by two
perpendicular components OY snd OX as
shown in the diagram, which is not drawn to 3N
scale.
Y P 4N

3N 5N
4N

O X
The magnitude of the resultant of these three forces
OY is of magnitude 3 N. is 1N. What is the direction of this resultant.

What is the magnitude of OX. A B C D

A2N B3N C4N D5N
Theory section
12. Two forces X and Y act at a point P as For each of the following figures, express the
shown. The lengths of the lines represent vector R in terms of vectors P and Q.
the magnitudes of the forces.
R P R
X P
Q Q

P ………………. ………………….
Y
Which vector diagram shows the resultant R
of these two forces? Q R P R
A B
P Q
X X
R R
…………………. ………………………..
Y Y *************************
The diagram shows two vectors X and Y.
C

X X
Y Y

R
D Draw the vector triangle in which the vector Z
show
X Y (a) the magnitude and direction of vector X + Y?

13. Figure shows the velocities 20 m s-1 and 25

m s-1 of two cars X and Y at one instant on a
circular track.

Y X
(b) the magnitude and direction of vector X – Y?

The velocity of Y relative to X in m s-1 is

given by which vector.

A 5 B 45

45
C D
5
(c) the magnitude and direction of vector Y – X?

14. A pendulum bob is held stationary by a

horizontal force H. The three forces acting
on the bob are shown in the diagram.
T

30° H

W
Which statement is correct?
A H = T cos 30° B T = H cos 30° **********************
C W = T cos 30° D W = Tsin 30°
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
VECTORS MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com,

1. The diagram below shows a heavy flagpole PQ hinged 6. Two forces act on a circular disc as shown.
at a vertical wall at end P and held by a wire connected
between end Q and a point R on the wall. The weight of
the flagpole is w and the tension in the wire is T.

Which diagram shows the line of action of the

resultant force?

7.
Which two vector diagrams represent forces in
What is the direction of the force exerted by the wall on equilibrium?
the flagpole?
A PQ B PS C PX D QP

In the diagram below, a body S of weight W hangs

2. vertically by a thread tied at Q to the string PQR.
R

P Q 30° A P and Q B Q and R

C R and S D S and P

8. A hinged door is held closed in the horizontal

position by a cable.
Three forces act on the door: the weight W of the
S door, the tension T in the cable, and the force H at
the hinge.
If the system is in equilibrium, what is the tension in the
section PQ?
A W cos 60° B W tan 30°
C W cos 30° D W tan 60°

3. A body is acted on by three forces X, Y and Z that hold it

in equilibrium.
If X = 5 N, Y = 4 N, and Z = 3 N, what is the angle Which list gives the three forces in increasing
order of magnitude
between the directions of X and Z?
A 37° B 53° C 90° D 127° A H,T,W B T,H,W
C W,H,T D W,T,H
Three coplanar forces act at the point O as shown.
4. Y 9. The diagram shows the jib of a tower crane.
5N Only three forces act on the jib; the tension T
4N provided by a supporting cable; the weight W
60° 30° of the jib; and a force P (not shown) acting at
X
point X.
T
3N
The component of the resultant force, in N, along OX is
A0 B 0.96 C 2.33 D 3.33
X jib
W
A body slides down a smooth slope inclined at 30°
5. to the horizontal. The jib is in equilibrium.
Which triangle of forces is correct?

What is the acceleration?

A 5.0 m s-2 B 5.8 m s-2
C 8.7 m s-2 D 10 m s-2