GCSE Physics for You, Fifth Edition

Answers to End-of-chapter questions

for Chapter 15, Turning Forces

It is very important that you are able to answer the questions on your own, using your
own knowledge of Physics.
Have a go at the questions first, and then check your answers using this page.
If you get a question wrong, try to work out where you have made an error.

1. a) moment, perpendicular, force, pivot; newton-metre (N m)

b) equilibrium, anticlockwise moments, clockwise moments
c) mass, weight
d) low, gravity (mass), wide

2. a) A long spanner (see page 94) will give a bigger moment for the same force.
A bigger moment means the tight nut is more likely to turn.
b) The moment that you exert on the door depends on the force that you apply
and the distance from the pivot (the hinge). The farther that the handle is
from the hinge, the easier it will be to open the door.
c) Applying a force by each hand at the outer ends of the handlebars means
that you can exert less force to get the same turning moment. But, in an
opposite way, holding the handlebars near the centre means that you will
have to exert a large force to get the same turning effect.

3. moment = force × perpendicular distance from force to pivot

= 200 N × 0.20 m
= 40 N m (or 4000 N cm)

4. a) In equilibrium, so
total anti-clockwise moment = total clockwise moment
X × 20 cm = 4 N × 25 cm
∴ X = 5N
b) In equilibrium, so
total anti-clockwise moment = total clockwise moment
Y × 25 cm = (1 N × 20 cm) + (2 N × 40 cm)
∴ Y = 100 N cm ÷ 25 cm = 4 N
c) If in equilibrium:
total anti-clockwise moment = total clockwise moment
2 N × 10 cm = Z × 20 cm
∴ Z, the weight of the ruler = 1 N

OUP GCSE Physics for You, Fifth Edition © Keith Johnson & Sue Holt, 2016     page 1 of 2
GCSE Physics for You, Fifth Edition

5.
Size of load Maximum length of jib Moment
(tonnes) (load × length)
(m)
10 12 120
20 6 120
30 4 120
40 3 120

b) The maximum moment is 120 tonne metre; anything more than this would
turn the crane over.
c) moment = size of load × length of jib
120 tonnes m = 24 tonnes × length of jib
Length of jib = 5m

6. A Centre of the shape, where the diagonals cross.

B Centre of the shape, where the diagonals cross.
C Centre of the circle.
D In the space between the two arms, on the line of symmetry.

7. a) The head of a hammer is normally much heavier than the shank of the
hammer, so the centre of mass (centre of gravity) will be inside the head of
the hammer.
b) A boomerang is like the L-shape in question 6D, so the centre of mass will
similarly be in the space between the two arms.
c) It depends on whether the tea cup is empty or full. An empty tea cup has its
centre of mass inside it, near the heavy bottom. A full tea cup will have its
centre of mass higher up inside the cup.
d) The centre of a mass of a human being is normally in their stomach behind
their navel (‘tummy-button’).

8. a) A Bunsen burner has a wide and heavy base so that it is stable and can’t
easily be knocked over.
b) A racing car is low with wheels wide apart so that it can go round corners at
high speed without tipping over.
c) This is for stability, so that as his opponent hits him he is less likely to fall
over.
d) When wine is poured in the glass it raises the centre of mass, so it is less
stable and more likely to be knocked over.
e) When a lorry is loaded, the centre of mass is higher, so it is less stable.

OUP GCSE Physics for You, Fifth Edition © Keith Johnson & Sue Holt, 2016     page 2 of 2