Turning effect of forces: past paper questions

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  All the forces acting on three identical beams are shown. Which beams are in equilibrium?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which situation is not explained by the equation $P=\frac{F}{A}$?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is measured by the moment of a force?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a wooden beam PQ which is attached to a wall by a pivot at P and kept in a horizontal position by a vertical rope attached at Q.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the unit of the moment of a force?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a force $F$ acting at ${90}^{\circ }$ to a bar at a distance $d$ from the point P. Which pair of changes causes the greatest increase in the moment of the force $F$ about the point P?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A man holds a ladder in four different positions, pivoting around his shoulder. The weight of the ladder causes a moment about the man’s shoulder. In which position is the moment greatest?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a drawbridge that is attached to a wall by a hinge at one end and a cable at the other. The weight of the drawbridge and the tension in the cable are represented by the labelled arrows in the diagram. There is a third force at the hinge, which is not shown.

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a uniform metre ruler of weight $Q$. Two additional weights, $P$ and $R$, act on the metre ruler. The ruler is balanced horizontally.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the moment of a force is not correct?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a uniform beam pivoted at its centre.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a beam balanced on a pivot. Two forces, $X$ and $Y$, are acting on the beam. Which calculation gives the moment of the force $Y$ about the pivot?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement gives a complete description of any object that is in equilibrium?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A pair of cutters is used to cut a rope. Where should the rope be positioned and at which labelled points should the hands be positioned to produce the greatest cutting force?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which beam is balanced?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A car has a fault. A mechanic uses a machine to pull the car onto a recovery vehicle as shown in Fig. 3.1. Fig. 3.2 shows how the mechanic applies a force to the handle of the machine.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  The mass of a solid metal cylinder is $400\text{ g}$ and its volume is $52{\text{ cm}}^3$. Calculate the density of the metal.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four forces, $P$, $Q$, $R$ and $S$, act on a wooden ruler as shown. The ruler is pivoted so that it is in equilibrium. Ignore the weight of the ruler.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A builder uses a metal bar to raise one end of the rock. Fig. 2.1 (not to scale) Calculate the moment of the $320\text{ N}$ force about the pivot.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Define the moment of a force and describe the effect that it measures.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A platform rests on a pivot as shown in Fig. 3.1. A diver sits at a distance of 1.8 m from the pivot. The weight of the diver is 1100 N. Using the information in Fig. 3.1, calculate the moment of the diver about the pivot.

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 43Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 2.1 shows a diagram of a car brake pedal. The driver applies a force of $14\text{ N}$ to the end of the brake pedal. The piston applies a force of $72\text{ N}$ to the brake pedal.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 43Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows a barrier at the entrance to a car park. The wooden barrier arm has a weight of $60\text{ N}$ which acts through the centre of gravity at the position shown on Fig. 7.1. Initially the wooden barrier arm is horizontal.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A radio transmitter is a very tall, thin cylinder. It is prevented from falling over by wires which have one end fixed to the transmitter and the other end fixed in the ground. The ends of the wires in the ground are a long distance from the transmitter.

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• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Each diagram shows three forces on a beam. In which situation is it possible for the three forces shown to be in equilibrium?

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a uniform metre rule. The rule is pivoted at its mid-point.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A wooden beam is used in a see-saw. The mass of the wooden beam is $40\text{ kg}$. Calculate the weight of the wooden beam.

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 31Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows the horizontal forces acting on a boat. Calculate the resultant horizontal force on the boat in Fig. 3.1.

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two boys are sitting on a see-saw. The see-saw is in equilibrium and remains horizontal. What affects the moment of each boy about the pivot?

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student determines the weight $W$ of a metal block by using a $1.5\text{ N}$ load and a uniform metre ruler. She places the centre of the uniform metre ruler on a pivot.

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