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Secondary 3 Physics Chapter 5 Turning Effects of Forces Worksheet 5B
Secondary 3 Physics Chapter 5 Turning Effects of Forces Worksheet 5B
Moments
(b) In an experiment to verify the principle of moments, a student pivoted a metre rule on
a needle through a hole at the 50cm mark. Then weights W1 and W2 were hung on
opposite sides of the pivot using thin cotton loops the positions of the cotton loops were
altered until the ruler balanced. The loop holding W1 was a distance d1 from the pivot and
that holding W2 was a distance d2 from the pivot as shown in the diagram.
d1 d2
W1 W2
The student repeated the experiment three times with different pairs of weights .the
results obtained are shown in the table below.
(i) Complete the table.
W1 / N d1 / m W2 / N d2 / m W1 x d1 /Nm W2 x d2 /Nm
0.5 32 0.4 40
0.4 45 0.6 30
0.4 40 0.8 20
0.5 36 0.6 30
Fig 1 P
50 g
W
(i) Calculate the weight of the 50 g mass and the moment it exerts about P.
(take g = 10 N/kg)
(ii) If the weight of the ruler is W, what is the moment of this force about P?
(iv) Calculate the upwards force exerted on the ruler by the cotton at P and explain why
this force does not have to be included in the calculation of W.
Fig 2
3. Fig. 3 below shows a uniform metre rule, weight W, pivoted at the 75 cm mark and
balanced by a force of 2 N acting at the 95 cm mark.
0 cm 50 cm 75 cm 95 cm
Fig 3
W 2N
(a) Calculate the moment of the 2 N force about the pivot.
Fig 4 80 cm
0 cm 50 cm 70 cm 100 cm
W
(a) Calculate the weight of the ruler.
(b) Calculate the moment of the weight of the ruler about the 70 cm mark (assuming that
g = 10N/kg).
5. (a) A student said that his centre of gravity is 0.8 m above the ground. Explain what he
means by that.
(b) A 300 g walking stick is balanced by a 100 g mass placed 15 cm from a pivot as
shown in Fig 5b. How far from the pivot is the centre of gravity of the stick?
Fig 5b
(c) A knife edge is placed at the 62.0 cm mark of the uniform metre rule shown in Fig 5c.
In order to balance the rule horizontally, a weight of 0.24 N is hung from one end
of the rule. Show this weight on the diagram and also mark the weight W of the rule
acting in the correct position. Calculate the weight W of the rule.
Fig 5c
(a) Explain briefly how you would determine the position of the centre of mass of the
model.
Fig 6a
(c) Fig 6b shows a cross-section through the centre of a triangular prism. G shows the
position of the centre of mass of the prism. The prism is laid on one of its
rectangular faces on a horizontal table. Explain whether the prism should be
placed on PQ, QR or RP, for maximum stability.
Fig 6b
Fig 7
(b) Why, if the vertical string is attached to any other point on the trap-door between A
and B, will the tension required to open the trap-door be greater than that
calculated in (a)?
Fig. 8
(b) Determine
(i) the moment of the 20 N force about the centre of the wheel A,
9. Susan, the Ikea designer has designed a chair that looks like Fig 9. However, when her
manager sat on it, he toppled over. Top of seat
What do you think Susan should do?
Fig. 9
11. Fig 11a shows one end of a uniform block of wood resting on a table. The block is then
pushed so that it begins to tilt about the edge at Q. Draw another diagram onto Fig 11b to
show how far the block can be tilted before it topples.
S R
Push
12. Why is a wine glass (as shown in Fig. 12) that is filled with wine less stable than an
empty glass?
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
(a) The boxes were tilted about edges PQ as shown in the figure. Explain why A topples
over at a smaller angle of tilt than B.
(b) State 2 conditions which can help to prevent a vase toppling over when tilted.