Exam practice
Exam questions
Write your answer. Then open the mark scheme and tick each point you made.
- Question 1 of 101 mark
State the unit of force.
Mark scheme
- Newton (accept: N)
- Question 2 of 103 marks
State three things that a force can change about an object.
Mark scheme
- Its speed
- Its direction
- Its shape
- Question 3 of 102 marks
Name one contact force and one non-contact force.
Mark scheme
- Contact: friction, air resistance, water resistance, upthrust or tension (any one)
- Non-contact: gravity (accept: weight), magnetic force or electrostatic force (any one)
- Question 4 of 102 marks
A force arrow is drawn on a diagram. State what its length shows and what its direction shows.
Mark scheme
- Length: the size of the force
- Direction: the direction the force acts in
- Question 5 of 102 marks
In a tug of war, one team pulls to the left with 600 N. The other team pulls to the right with 450 N. Calculate the resultant force and give its direction.
Mark scheme
- 150 N
- To the left
- Question 6 of 102 marks
A book rests on a table. Explain why it does not move.
Mark scheme
- The forces on it are balanced (accept: its weight and the push of the table are equal and opposite)
- So the resultant force is zero (accept: it is in equilibrium)
- Question 7 of 102 marks
Give one example where friction is useful and one where it is a nuisance.
Mark scheme
- Useful: for example brakes, tyres on a road, or shoes gripping the ground
- Nuisance: for example moving parts of a machine or a bike chain rubbing, which wears them out or wastes energy
- Question 8 of 102 marks
Explain why a racing cyclist crouches low over the handlebars.
Mark scheme
- It makes a more streamlined shape (accept: a smaller area facing the air)
- So there is less air resistance (accept: less drag)
- Question 9 of 102 marks
A skydiver falls at a steady speed. Compare the size of her weight with the size of the air resistance, and give a reason.
Mark scheme
- They are equal
- Her speed is not changing, so the forces are balanced (accept: the resultant force is zero)
- Question 10 of 101 mark
A car travels along a straight road. The forward force on it is 900 N and the drag is 900 N. Describe the motion of the car.
Mark scheme
- It moves at a steady speed (in a straight line)