AQA Mechanics 1 Force

Section 1: Forces and equilibrium

Solutions to Exercise
1.

R
5

12

R 2 5 2 12 2
R 13

5
12
22.6
The resultant force is 13 N at an angle of 22.6 to the 12 N force.
tan

2.

2
Using the cosine rule:
Using the sine rule:

150 30

R 2 2 2 7 2 2 2 7 cos 150
R 8.79 (3 s.f.)
sin sin 150

7
R
sin

7 sin 150

23.5 (1 d.p.)
The resultant force is 8.79 N at 23.5 to the 2 N force.

3.

12

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AQA M1 Force 1 Exercise solutions

12 2 7 2 92
Using the cosine rule: cos
2 7 12
48.2 (1 d.p.)
The angle between the lines of action of the forces is 131.8

4. Total force (2 i 5 j) 3 j ( i 2 j)

3i
Magnitude of resultant = 3
Direction of resultant is the i direction.

5. Total force in the i direction 5 15 cos 60 10 cos 45

5.429 (4 s.f.)
Total force in the j direction 15 sin 60 10 sin 45 20
0.06145 (4 s.f.)

R 2 5.4292 0.06145 2
R 5.43 (2 d.p.)

0.06145

5.429
0.06145
5.429
0.65 (2 d.p.)
The resultant force is 5.43 N at an angle of 0.65 to the i direction.

tan

6. Total force in the i direction 3 4cos 30 2 cos 60 1

6.464 (4 s.f.)
Total force in the j direction 5 4 sin 30 2 sin 60
5.268 (4 s.f.)

R 2 6.4642 5.268 2
R 8.34 (2 d.p.)

5.268

5.268
tan

6.464
6.464
39.2 (1 d.p.)
The resultant force is 8.34 N at an angle of 39.2 to the i direction.

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AQA M1 Force 1 Exercise solutions

7. (i) Resolving vertically:

P cos 30 10 0
3P 10
20
P
3
1
2

Resolving horizontally:

X P sin 30 0
X 21 P

(ii) Resolving horizontally:

10
3

6 8 cos 10 0
8 cos 4
cos

1
2

60
Resolving vertically:

8 sin W 0

W 8 sin 60 4 3
(iii) Resolving perpendicular to the plane:
R 30 cos 20 0

R 30 cos 20 28.2 (3 s.f.)

Resolving up the plane:

F 30 sin 20 0
F 30 sin 20 10.3 (3 s.f)

(iv) Resolving up the plane:

T cos 7 10 sin 30 0
T cos 7 10 21
T cos 12

(1)

Resolving perpendicular to the plane:

5 T sin 10 cos 30 0

T sin 10 21 3 5
T sin 5 3 5
Dividing (2) by (1):

Substituting into (1):

(2)

5 3 5
12
17.0 (1 d.p.)
12
T
12.5 (3 s.f.)
cos
tan

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AQA M1 Force 1 Exercise solutions

8.
1.6

40
Resolving vertically:

1.2

T sin 40 0
1.6
T 40
2
T 50

Resolving horizontally: F T cos 0

1.2
30
2
The magnitude of F is 30 N and the tension in the string is 50 N.

F T cos 50

9.

20
30

30

20
Resolving parallel to the plane: T cos 20 20 sin 30 0

T cos 20 20 21
10
10.64
cos 20

T
Resolving perpendicular to the plane:

R T sin 20 20 cos 30 0
R 20 cos 30 T sin 20
R 13.7

The tension in the rope is 10.64 N and the reaction at the plane is 13.7 N.

R
10. (a)

60

60
8g
60
Resolving parallel to the plane:

F cos 60 8 g sin 60 0
1
2

F 8 9.8 21 3

F 78.4 3 135.8 N

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AQA M1 Force 1 Exercise solutions

F

(b)

Notice that R must be zero as

F = 8g (consider vertical
forces). This means that the
particle is only just touching
the plane.

R 60
60
8g

60

Resolving parallel to the plane:

F sin 60 8 g sin 60 0
F 8 9.8
F 78.4 N

(c)

R
60
60

8g

Resolving parallel to the plane:

F 8 g sin 60 0
F 8 9.8 21 3
F 39.2 3 67.9 N

11.

10

20

20
20

Resolving parallel to the plane: 10 cos 20 sin 20 0

cos 2 sin 20

46.8
Resolving perpendicular to the plane: R 10 sin 20 cos 20 0

R 20 cos 20 10 sin
R 11.5
The value of is 46.8
and the reaction between the block and the plane is 11.5 N.

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