Phy 4.2

CIE A Level Physics (9702) 2019-2021 Revision Notes savemyexams.co.
uk
YOUR NOTES
5.2 Forces: Equilibrium, Density & Pressure ⬇
CONTENTS
5.2.1 Equilibrium of Forces
5.2.2 Density
5.2.3 Pressure
5.2.4 Derivation of ∆p = ρg∆h
5.2.1 EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES

The Principle of Moments
The principle of moments states: For a system to be balanced (in equilibrium), the sum of
clockwise moments about a point must be equal to the sum of anticlockwise moments
(about the same point)
Diagram showing the moments acting on a balanced beam
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CIE A Level Physics (9702) 2019-2021 Resources Page 1
REVISION NOTES TOPIC QUESTIONS PAST PAPERS
CIE A Level Physics (9702) 2019-2021 Revision Notes savemyexams.co.uk
YOUR NOTES
In the above diagram:

Force F2 is supplying a clockwise moment;
Forces F1 and F3 are supplying anticlockwise moments
Hence: F2 × d2 = F1 × d1 + F3 × d3
Worked Example
A uniform beam of weight 40 N is 5 m long and is supported by a pivot situated 2 m from one end.
When a load of weight W is hung from that end, the beam is in equilibrium as shown in the
diagram.
What is the value of W?

A 10 N B 50 N C 25 N D 30 N

YOUR NOTES

YOUR NOTES
Exam Tip
Make sure that all the distances are in the same units and you’re considering the correct forces
as clockwise or anticlockwise, as seen in the diagram below
Equilibrium
A system is in equilibrium when all the forces are balanced. This means:
There is no resultant force
There is no resultant torque
An object in equilibrium will therefore remain at rest, or at a constant velocity, and not rotate
The system is in an equilibrium state when applying the principle of moments. See “The
Principle of Moments” for more notes on this

YOUR NOTES
Worked Example
Four beams of the same length each have three forces acting on them.
Which beam has both zero resultant force and zero resultant torque acting?

YOUR NOTES

YOUR NOTES
Coplanar Forces in Equilibrium
Coplanar forces can be represented by vector triangles
In equilibrium, these are closed vector triangles. The vectors, when joined together, form a
closed path
The most common forces on objects are

Weight
Normal reaction force
Tension (from cords and strings)
Friction
The forces on a body in equilibrium are demonstrated below:
Three forces on an object in equilibrium form a closed vector triangle

YOUR NOTES
Worked Example
A weight hangs in equilibrium from a cable at point X. The tensions in the cables are T1 and T2 as
shown.
Which diagram correctly represents the forces acting at point X?

YOUR NOTES
Exam Tip
The diagrams in exam questions about this topic tend to be drawn to scale, so make sure
you have a ruler handy!

YOUR NOTES
5.2.2 DENSITY
Density
Density is the mass per unit volume of an object

Objects made from low-density materials typically have a lower mass
For example, a balloon is less dense than a small bar of lead despite occupying a
larger volume
The units of density depend on the units used for mass and volume:
If the mass is measured in g and volume in cm3, then the density will be in g / cm3
If the mass is measured in kg and volume in m3, then the density will be in kg / m3
Gases are less dense than a solid

YOUR NOTES
The volume of an object may not always be given directly, but can be calculated with the
appropriate equation depending on the object’s shape
Volumes of common 3D shapes

YOUR NOTES
Worked Example
A paving slab has a mass of 73 kg and dimensions 40 mm × 500 mm × 850 mm.
Calculate the density, in kg m-3 of the material from which the paving slab is made.

YOUR NOTES
Exam Tip
• When converting a larger unit to a smaller one, you multiply (×)

⚬ E.g. 125 m = 125 × 100 = 12 500 cm
• When you convert a smaller unit to a larger one, you divide (÷)
⚬ E.g. 5 g = 5 / 1000 = 0.005 or 5 × 10-3 kg

• When dealing with squared or cubic conversions, cube or square the conversion factor too
⚬ E.g. 1 mm3 = 1 / (1000)3 = 1 × 10-9 m3
⚬ E.g. 1 cm3 = 1 / (100)3 = 1 × 10-6 m3

YOUR NOTES
5.2.3 PRESSURE
Pressure
Pressure tells us how concentrated a force is, it is defined as the force per unit area
Pressure is equal to the force per unit area
This equation tells us

If a force is spread over a large area it will result in a small pressure
If it is spread over a small area it will result in a large pressure

YOUR NOTES
Different pressure is exerted for the same force on different areas
The units of pressure depend on the units of area:
If the area is measured in cm2 (and the force in N), then the pressure will be in N/cm2
If the area is measured in m2 (and the force in N), then the pressure will be in N/m2
Pressure can also be measured in pascals, Pa where 1 Pa is the same as 1 N/m2
Pressure, unlike force, is a scalar. Therefore pressure does not have a specific direction

YOUR NOTES
U-tube manometer
A manometer is an instrument to measure pressure and density of two liquids
In Figure 1: The level of liquid is equal because the atmospheric pressure (Patm) is the same
In Figure 2: If the pressure on one side rises, the liquid will be forced down making the liquid
in the other limb rise. The difference between the two levels gives the pressure difference
between the two ends of the tube
In Figure 3: The U-tube now has two different liquids. The density of the blue one is larger
than that of the orange one. The pressure at each point is due to the atmospheric pressure
plus the weight of the liquid above it

YOUR NOTES
Worked Example
A cylinder is placed on a horizontal surface as shown below
The mass of the cylinder is 4.7 kg and the diameter is 8.4 cm. Calculate the pressure produced by
the cylinder on the surface in Pa.

YOUR NOTES
Exam Tip
The area referred to is the ‘cross-sectional’ area of a 3D object. This is the area of the base
that the force is applied on. For a cylinder, this will be a circle.

YOUR NOTES
5.2.4 DERIVATION OF ∆P = ΡG∆H

Derivation of ∆p = ρg∆h
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that is exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given

point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity
The derivation for this equation is shown below:

YOUR NOTES
Hydrostatic pressure derivation
Exam Tip
You will be expected to remember all the steps for this derivation for an exam question. If
any equations which look unfamiliar, have a look at the notes for “Density” and “Pressure”.

YOUR NOTES
Using the Equation for Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that is exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given

point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity
This is when an object is immersed in a liquid, the liquid will exert a pressure, squeezing the
object
The size of this pressure depends upon the density (ρ) of the liquid, the depth (h) of the
object and the gravitational field strength (g):
When asked about the total pressure remember to also add the atmospheric pressure
Total pressure = Hydrostatic pressure + Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure (also known as barometric pressure) is 101 325 Pa
Worked Example
Atmospheric pressure at sea level has a value of 100 kPa. The density of sea water is 1020
kg m-3.
At what depth in the sea would the total pressure be 250 kPa?
A. 20 m B. 9.5 m C. 18 m D. 15 m

YOUR NOTES
Exam Tip
These pressures can vary widely and depend on metric prefixes such as kPa or MPa. When
you’re doing calculations make sure all the pressures are in the same units (otherwise you
may be out by a factor of 1000!). To be on the safe side, you can convert them all to
Pascals.
Exam Question: Easy

YOUR NOTES
Exam Question: Medium

YOUR NOTES
Exam Question: Hard
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CIE A Level Physics (9702) 2019-2021 Revision Notes savemyexams.co.

5.2.4 Derivation of ∆p = ρg∆h

5.2.1 EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES

Diagram showing the moments acting on a balanced beam

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In the above diagram:

Forces F1 and F3 are supplying anticlockwise moments

What is the value of W?

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

There is no resultant torque

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Coplanar Forces in Equilibrium

Coplanar forces can be represented by vector triangles

The most common forces on objects are

Normal reaction force

Tension (from cords and strings)

The forces on a body in equilibrium are demonstrated below:

Three forces on an object in equilibrium form a closed vector triangle

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Which diagram correctly represents the forces acting at point X?

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Density is the mass per unit volume of an object

Gases are less dense than a solid

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Volumes of common 3D shapes

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

A paving slab has a mass of 73 kg and dimensions 40 mm × 500 mm × 850 mm.

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

• When converting a larger unit to a smaller one, you multiply (×)

⚬ E.g. 5 g = 5 / 1000 = 0.005 or 5 × 10-3 kg

⚬ E.g. 1 mm3 = 1 / (1000)3 = 1 × 10-9 m3

⚬ E.g. 1 cm3 = 1 / (100)3 = 1 × 10-6 m3

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Pressure is equal to the force per unit area

This equation tells us

If it is spread over a small area it will result in a large pressure

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Diﬀerent pressure is exerted for the same force on diﬀerent areas

The units of pressure depend on the units of area:

Pressure can also be measured in pascals, Pa where 1 Pa is the same as 1 N/m2

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

A cylinder is placed on a horizontal surface as shown below

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

5.2.4 DERIVATION OF ∆P = ΡG∆H

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that is exerted by a ﬂuid at equilibrium at a given

The derivation for this equation is shown below:

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Hydrostatic pressure derivation

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Using the Equation for Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that is exerted by a ﬂuid at equilibrium at a given

Total pressure = Hydrostatic pressure + Atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure (also known as barometric pressure) is 101 325 Pa

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Exam Question: Easy

© 2015-2021 Save My Exams Ltd

Exam Question: Medium