Turning effect of forces: past paper questions
Real questions on turning effect of forces
The newest 20 of 26 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[4]
Describe how a uniform metre ruler, a pivot and a selection of masses can be used to demonstrate that there is no resultant moment on an object in equilibrium. You may include a labelled diagram in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[1]
Define the ‘moment’ of a force in words.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[4]
Define the moment of a force and describe the effect that it measures.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[2]
The weight of the block is 1.3 × 10 7 N. Calculate the moment of the weight of the block about corner X. moment of weight =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q3b[4]
Fig. 3.2 shows the wheel used to steer a boat. 60 N 50 cm50 cm pivot Fig. 3.2 A force of 60 N acts at a perpendicular distance of 50 cm from the wheel’s pivot. Calculate the moment of the 60 N force about the pivot. Include the unit. moment = unit
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2023 · Q2c[4]
The student balances a beam on a pivot. On the beam, he positions the cylinder and a block so that the beam remains balanced. The arrangement is shown in Fig. 2.2. cylinder block pivot 42 cm 25 cm weight of block 3.9 N Fig. 2.2 (not to scale) Calculate the weight of the block. weight of block = N
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Explain why the radio transmitter without the wires is a very unstable structure.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(i)[1]
On Fig. 4.1, mark an arrow to show the force T exerted by wire W on the transmitter.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(ii)[5]
The force T produces a moment on the transmitter about its base. Describe how the moment produced by T is calculated and indicate on Fig. 4.1 what is meant by any other terms in the description.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q2b[3]
A builder starts to raise one end of the beam. He uses a force of 1030 N at a perpendicular distance of 120 cm from the pivot. Fig. 2.2 shows the arrangement. 1030 N one end of the beam pivot 120 cm ground Fig. 2.2 (not to scale) Calculate the moment of the 1030 N force about the pivot. moment = N cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q2c[1]
Describe how the builder can use a smaller force to lift the beam.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q1a(i)[2]
State the two conditions necessary for the helicopter to remain in equilibrium. condition condition
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2022 · Q3a[3]
The sailor applies a force of 200 N at a distance of 30 cm from the pivot in the winch, as shown in Fig. 3.2. 200 N winch pivot 30 cm Fig. 3.2 Calculate the moment of this force about the pivot. moment of force = N cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2022 · Q3c(ii)[3]
The line of the rope meets the horizontal line through her centre of mass at a distance of 1.2 m from the cliff, as shown in Fig. 3.1. The rope is at an angle of 60° to the horizontal. Determine the tension in the rope. tension =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2022 · Q4b[3]
Fig. 4.3 shows the force on the pulley from the load M. pulley wheel pivot 20 cm 2.5 N Fig. 4.3 The weight of load M is 2.5 N and the weight acts at a distance of 20 cm from the pivot of the pulley wheel. Calculate the moment of the weight of load M about the pivot. moment = N cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2022 · Q3b[3]
Fig. 3.2 shows the handle used to open and close a cupboard door on the aeroplane. 60 N pivot 20 cm Fig. 3.2 (not to scale) A force of 60 N acts at a distance of 20 cm from the pivot of the handle. Calculate the moment of the 60 N force about the pivot. moment = N cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2021 · Q3b[3]
Another card is pivoted at point P. The weight of the card is 1.4 N and acts through a point 20 cm from P. Fig. 3.2 shows the arrangement. card P 20 cm pivot 1.4 N Fig. 3.2 Calculate the moment of the weight of the card about point P. moment of weight = N cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2021 · Q3a[3]
A girl sits on one end of the plank, and her brother pushes down on the other end to make the plank balance horizontally. Fig. 3.1 shows the arrangement. pivot 1.6 m 1.2 m weight = 404 N F Fig. 3.1 (not to scale) Calculate the moment of the girl’s weight about the pivot and show that it is close to 480 N m.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2021 · Q3b[3]
The plank balances horizontally when the boy pushes down with a force F at a distance of 1.6 m from the pivot. Calculate the size of force F. force F = N
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2020 · Q3b[4]
Fig. 3.2 shows the force applied to the brake pedal by the driver’s foot. pivot 20 cm 35 N brake pedal Fig. 3.2 Calculate the moment of the force about the pivot. Include the unit. moment = unit
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates illustrated the principle of equilibrium using well-drawn, labelled diagrams. Stronger candidates described the experimental technique, e.g. “position the masses either side of the pivot and move them until the ruler is balanced”. Some candidates were able to gain credit for identifying that (the sum of) the clockwise moments = (the sum of) the anticlockwise moments. Candidates sho...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/41 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
Only stronger candidates correctly defined the moment of a force. There was some confusion between the command words ‘define’ and ‘describe’, with weaker candidates often stating that the moment of a force was its turning effect. Another common misconception was that the moment of a force was force × distance, i.e. omitting the word ‘perpendicular’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/42 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
This question was answered very well by many candidates who gave clearly set out methods for their responses. A few candidates divided the values for force and distance. There were many unit errors, usually N / cm or N / m.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/31 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
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