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H2 Physics C1 2022

Chapter 4

Forces

“The same principle that allows an airplane to rise off the ground by creating lift under its wings is used in
reverse in F1 cars to generate an additional ‘downward force’ to press the race car against the surface of the
track. This increases the contact force between the tires and the road surface, allowing the car to turn corners
at amazing speeds. F1 cars achieve downward force-to-weight ratio of 1:1 at about 125 km/h. At 190 km/h
(118 mph) the ratio is roughly 2:1.”

- Anonymous Formula One Expert

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H2 Physics Syllabus 9749

Topic 4: Forces
Content
• Types of force
• Centre of gravity
• Turning effects of forces
• Equilibrium of forces
• Upthrust

Learning Outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
(a) recall and apply Hooke’s law (F = kx, where k is the force constant) to new situations or to solve related
problems

(b) describe the forces on a mass, charge and current-carrying conductor in gravitational, electric and
magnetic fields, as appropriate (covered later in relevant chapters)

(c) show a qualitative understanding of normal contact forces, frictional forces and viscous forces including
air resistance (no treatment of the coefficients of friction and viscosity is required) (partly covered in
Kinematics)

(d) show an understanding that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a single point known as its
centre of gravity (covered in Dynamics)

(e) define and apply the moment of a force and the torque of a couple

(f) show an understanding that a couple is a pair of forces which tends to produce rotation only

(g) apply the principle of moments to new situations or to solve related problems

(h) show an understanding that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant torque, a system is in
equilibrium

(i) use a vector triangle to represent forces in equilibrium

(j) derive, from the definitions of pressure and density, the equation p = ρgh

(k) solve problems using the equation p = ρgh

(l) show an understanding of the origin of the force of upthrust acting on a body in a fluid

(m) state that upthrust is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the weight of the fluid displaced by
a submerged or floating object

(n) calculate the upthrust in terms of the weight of the displaced fluid

(o) recall and apply the principle that, for an object floating in equilibrium, the upthrust is equal in magnitude
and opposite in direction to the weight of the object to new situations or to solve related problems.

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Let us begin by introducing some forces that we will encounter in this chapter.

4.1 Hooke’s Law

When we try to extend a spring by pulling it apart or compressing it with
both hands, each of our hands will be subjected to an opposing force
by the spring. We refer to this force as the tension or compression in
the spring. For our purposes, we usually consider light springs of
negligible mass. In 1676, Robert Hooke stated an empirical law that
allows us to calculate the magnitude of this force.

Hooke's Law states that the magnitude of force F exerted by a spring# on a body attached to the spring
is proportional to the extension x of the spring from its natural length provided the proportional limit of the
spring is not exceeded.
F = kx

k = constant of proportionality (also referred to as force constant or spring constant or stiffness of spring)

Example 1 (N94/I/23)
A spring, obeying Hooke’s Law, has an unstretched length of 50 mm and a spring constant of 400 N m-1.
What is the tension in the spring when its overall length is 70 mm?

[Answer: 8.0 N]
# Notethat, in general, all elastic materials obey Hooke’s Law within their elastic limits. The law is not restricted to
springs.

4.2 Upthrust or Buoyant Force

4.2.1 Pressure due to Fluid

If an object is immersed in a fluid, the fluid will press on the surface of the object. The normal force per unit
area of the surface is referred to as the pressure due to the fluid. For a cylinder that is filled with water, the
water pressure on the base of the cylinder will increase if more water is added and the water level rises.
Similarly, if a small sheet of metal is dropped into the cylinder, the pressure on the surface of the metal sheet
will increase as it sinks deeper.

Apart from water, we also experience atmospheric pressure due to the air above us. The atmospheric
pressure we experience as we climb up a mountain will decrease as we ascend higher.

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4.2.2 Derivation of the equation p = ρgh
Consider a column of fluid as shown in the diagram. This column of fluid is pressed inwards on all sides by
the rest of the fluid in the beaker. Let

 (Greek letter rho) = density of the fluid,

A = surface area of the bottom of the column,
h = depth from the surface of the fluid,
V = volume of the fluid column,
m = mass of the fluid column. 
h

The weight of the fluid is pressing down on the bottom
surface A. Since pressure is force over area, the pressure
due to the weight of the fluid column is
𝑚𝑔
𝑝= .
𝐴
surface area A
Recall that density is mass divided by volume, ρ = m / V.
Rearranging, we find that m = ρ V, from which we get

𝜌𝑉𝑔
𝑝= .
𝐴

Note further that the volume of the fluid column is equal to the height of the column multiplied by the surface
area, V = h A. Thus, we find that V / A = h, from which

𝑝 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ.

Hence, the average pressure due to the weight of a fluid column is p = ρgh.

Note that we also have atmospheric pressure on top of the fluid column in the derivation above, pressing the
fluid column down as it were. The total pressure at the surface area A is therefore equal to the atmospheric
pressure added to the pressure due to the fluid:

𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑝 + 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑚 ,

where patm is the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the fluid and p is the pressure at the bottom surface
of the column due to the weight of the fluid alone.

Note that this expression for the pressure on the surface of the column is independent of the cross-sectional
area of the column. Hence, if we consider a column where the cross-sectional area of the column approaches
zero, we then obtain the same formula for the pressure at a point in the fluid.

By considering an object that is very small, of negligible volume, we can say that the pressure at a point in a
fluid is the same in all directions. A simple experiment can be conducted to illustrate this using a manometer.
Since the height difference a remains the same as we change the direction that the opening of the tube is
facing in the fluid, we can see that the pressure at the opening of the tube in the fluid is the same in all
directions.

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Example 2
The diagram on the right shows a mercury manometer connected to a gas
container. The atmospheric pressure is 760 mm Hg and the point X is at
the bottom of the U-tube.
a) What is the pressure of the point X in mm Hg?
b) What is the pressure of the gas in mm Hg?
c) If the manometer is disconnected from the gas container, what will be
the vertical heights of the mercury levels from the point X in the left and
right limbs of the manometer?

[Answers: 794 mm Hg; 776 mm Hg; 26 mm]

i
4.2.3 Upthrust

For an object that is immersed in a fluid, the force that

the fluid exerts on different parts of its surface differs Fluid force F2
h2 acting on the
according to the depth of immersion of that part of the
surface. We will now consider the net force that acts top surface
on the object due to the fluid.
h1
Upthrust U refers to the net upward force exerted by
a fluid on a body fully or partially submerged in the 
fluid. ~

By considering the fluid forces acting on a cube fully

immersed in a fluid as shown in the diagram, we
can generalise the result to find the upthrust Fluid force F1
experienced by any body immersed in a fluid. acting on the
bottom surface
Let  = density of the fluid,
A = surface area of a face of the cube,
P =
p.g hi. . ↑ FiPrA = =
PghiA
h = h1 - h2 = length of a side of the cube. p2 =
pghc ↓Fe PzA = =
pghrA.
The fluid forces acting on the side faces of the cube are equal in magnitude and in opposite directions, thus
resulting in zero net horizontal force. +re
F2
Fret Fi
·

p = -

The fluid force F1 acting on the bottom surface is F1 = ρgh1A.

The fluid force F2 acting on the top surface is F2 = ρgh2A.
=
OghA-pghc.A
Thus, the net vertical force is F1 – F2 = ρgh1A – ρgh2A = (h1 – h2)ρgA = ΔhρgA =
pg . H .
= ρVg (since the volume of the cube is V = A h)
= (mass of fluid displaced) g Ath
=
P9
·

=
= weight of fluid displaced
=

V
=
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Archimedes’ Principle
For a body submerged or floating in a fluid, the upthrust acting on the body is equal in magnitude and
opposite in direction to the weight of fluid displaced by the body.

g 𝑈 = 𝜌𝑉𝑔,

where U = upthrust,
ρ = density of fluid,
V = volume of fluid displaced by the body,
g = gravitational acceleration.

In free-body diagrams, upthrust must be drawn from the centre of gravity of the fluid displaced.

upthrust
&-
C.G. of C.G. of block
displaced water
weight

Paper Per .
Poli
Principle of Flotation
For a body floating in a fluid, the weight of the fluid displaced by the body is equal to the weight of the
body. IIIII

~
Example 3 [Floating]
Icebergs are often a danger to ships since most of an ice-berg’s volume lies beneath the surface of the
water. One can only see the “tip of the iceberg.” Find the percentage of the iceberg that is submerged.
(density of ice, i = 0.917 g cm-3, density of sea-water, w = 1.025 g cm-3)
=

Upthmest
=
pg
=
Pw g Vsub
-

Weight.
UpthmsT
=

-Piv
PryUsub gi
= O
O

-
up .

I= ·

[Answer: 89.5%]

vW .

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4.3 Translational Equilibrium
A large object can exhibit different kinds of motion. When we describe the object as rigid, different parts of
the object cannot move relative to each other. However, the rigid object as a whole can still rotate about its
centre of mass (rotational motion) while the centre of mass can have translational motion. Let us first consider
the translational motion of the centre of mass of the object.

The object is said to be in translational equilibrium when it is stationary or moving at constant velocity.
According to Newton’s First Law, this happens when the net external force acting on the object is zero.

Condition for Translational Equilibrium:

The net external force acting on a body is zero, i.e. Σ𝐹𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 0.

There are two common methods to determine whether an object is in equilibrium. The first method is resolving
vectors and the second one is the use of a vector triangle.

In the first method, all the vectors acting on an object are resolved into horizontal and vertical components.
If the sum of all the horizontal components and the sum of all the vertical components are zero, then the
object is in translational equilibrium. For the horizontal and vertical component of a force F, acting at an angle
θ, we typically use the following equations to resolve the force vectors: Fh = F cos θ, Fv = F sin θ.

For the special case where three coplanar forces are acting on an object and the object is in translational
equilibrium, the forces can be represented in magnitude and direction by the adjacent sides of a triangle. In
other words, three force vectors that form a triangle for which the directions of the forces are all either
clockwise or anticlockwise around the centre of the triangle have zero resultant.

~Example 4 (Resolution of forces into component method)

Four forces act on a particle such that it is in equilibrium. Three of the forces are shown in the diagram.
Find the magnitude and direction of the unknown force F that maintains the equilibrium.
.
N 11.0 N
6 01 +
.
6 .
06 = 1207
↓
1
07
07
12 11 =

2 5) N

Yoga
-
.
-

5N 01N
. .

3 6 .

·
- >
#· -

5)

ING
-
>
2 -

6 01.
-
3 . 5
: .
o
60 45 o

.
N

↓
ths =
,
2
/N .

7.0 N
6 . 06N
8.5 N

[Answer: 2.73 N, at an angle of 67 anticlockwise from the force of 11.0 N]

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Example 5 (J85/I/2) (vector triangle method)
In the diagram below, a body S of weight W hangs vertically by a thread tied at Q to the string PQR. If the
system is in equilibrium, what is the tension in the section PQ?

P Q 30°

Fret = - -

[Answer: 1.73W]
net .
0
Moment
=

4.4 Moment of a Force

Besides translational motion, objects also exhibit rotational motion. Forces applied on a rigid body can also
cause or change its rotational motion. The quantitative measure of the extent to which a force can cause or
change the rotational motion of a rigid body is called the moment of the force, τ (Greek letter tau). The
moment of a force is also called the torque.

Definition of Moment of a Force

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the (magnitude of the) force F
and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the point. r⊥
𝜏 = 𝐹(𝑟⊥ )

To illustrate the concept of perpendicular distance and line of action, let us consider the example of a spanner
being used to loosen a bolt. A force F is applied at an acute angle  to the length of the spanner and at a
distance r away from the point O as shown in the diagram below.

F
Method 1: Finding the perpendicular distance
The line of action of a force is the line along which the force
r acts. The perpendicular distance d is the length of the line that
 joins the point O to the line of action perpendicularly. Using
simple trigonometry, it can be deduced that d = r sin . The
 torque of the force F about the point O can then be calculated
line of as
d  = (F )(r ⊥ ) = (F )(r sin ) = Fr sin .
action
perpendicular
distance

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F sin  Method 2: Finding the perpendicular component of the force
F Another method is to resolve the force into two components:
perpendicular and parallel to the spanner length. Only the
r perpendicular component F sin  produces the turning effect.
The line of action of the parallel component F cos  passes
 through the reference point O and produces no turning effect.
F cos  The torque of the force F about the point O is then given by

 = (r )(F⊥ ) = (r )(F sin ) = Fr sin .

Since both approaches lead to the result  = Fr sin , one could treat the equation as either
1. magnitude of force × perpendicular distance (between the reference point and the line of action),

or

2. distance (from reference point to point of application of force) × perpendicular component of the force.

Example 6
A uniform rod of weight F and length L is pivoted on one end O. A force 2F is applied at a quarter of
its length from O. Find the magnitude of the net moment about point O.

[Answer: 0.213FL]

4.5 Rotational Equilibrium and Principle of Moments

A rigid object is said to be in rotational equilibrium when the net moment of the object about any point is zero.
Note that we may freely choose the reference point to be anywhere (even outside the object) when calculating
the net moment of the object. If the object is in rotational equilibrium, regardless of where we choose
reference point to be, the net moment about that point will be zero.

Condition for Rotational Equilibrium:

The net moment on the body about any point is zero, i.e. Σ𝜏 = 0.

When all lines of action of the forces are in the same plane (the forces are coplanar), the condition for
rotational equilibrium is simplified to the principle of moments.

For rotations confined to a single plane:

Principle of moments states that for a body to be in rotational equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments
about any point equals the sum of anticlockwise moments about that same point.

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Example 7
A uniform rod of weight 25 N and length L is balanced on a knife edge at O. Find the unknown force F
required to maintain rotational equilibrium.

[Answer: 8.33 N]

4.6 Static Equilibrium for Rigid Extended Bodies

Equilibrium is a concept to describe the state of a body that is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity.
The conditions for equilibrium are the same, regardless whether the body is at rest or moving at a constant
velocity. However, if the body is at rest, we say that the body is in static equilibrium.

Conditions for (Static) Equilibrium of a rigid extended body:

The net external force acting on the body is zero. Σ𝐹𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 0.
The net torque on the body about any point is zero. Σ𝜏 = 0.

Solving Static Equilibrium problems

1. Isolate the body of interest.

2. Draw the free-body diagram and identify all forces acting on the body.
3. Set up the torque equation (condition for rotational equilibrium)
• Choose a “good” reference point.
• A “good” reference point is a point which lies on the lines of action of one or more of the unknown
forces, thereby reducing the number of unknown terms in the equation.
• Apply the condition ∑𝜏 = 0,
sum of clockwise moments = sum of anti-clockwise moments.
4. Set up the two force equations (x and y components) (conditions for translational equilibrium)
• Choose two perpendicular directions x and y.
• Resolve all forces into x and y components.
• Apply the condition ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0,
sum of leftward forces = sum of rightward forces
• Apply the condition ∑𝐹𝑦 = 0,
sum of upward forces = sum of downward forces
5. Solve the equations to find the unknown forces.

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Example 8 (J95/I/5)
A uniform beam of length L and mass M is supported by two vertical cords as shown in the diagram.
T
What is the ratio 1 of the tensions in these cords?
T2

EX . 0
mg
.
=

TrX T2 +
.

Ti + &T =
Eng & -

Y +1 + z =
my
.

g
#

[Answer: 0.333]
VW
W
mg.
=
.

4.7 Three-Force Systems

A solid body submitted to three forces whose lines of action are not parallel is in equilibrium if the three
following conditions apply:
1. The lines of action are coplanar (lie in one and the same plane)
2. The vector sum of the forces is equal to the zero vector (they can form a closed vector triangle)
3. The lines of action are convergent (their lines of action cross through a single point).

Example 9
A uniform beam balance of length L is hinged to a wall and is supported by a rope as shown. Show the
direction of the force exerted by the hinge (attached to the wall) on the beam.

rope

hinge beam

L
2

Example 10 (N84/II/1)
A ladder PQ, resting on a rough floor and leaning against a rough wall, is on the point of slipping. It is of
weight W and the contact forces exerted on the ladder by the wall and the floor are X and Y, respectively.
Which one of the following diagrams correctly shows the directions of these forces?

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4.8 Couple

Definition of a Couple
A pair of forces, which are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, whose lines of action do not
coincide.

Couples produce only rotation but no translation.

An example of a couple is shown in the figure below.

F
x

F
Taking moments about the centre of mass,
=  x F +  x F
1 1
the torque due to the couple
2  2 
= xF (in the clockwise direction),
where F is the magnitude of the forces and x is the perpendicular distance between the lines of action.

In fact, taking moments about any point would produce the same result.

Torque of a couple is the product of the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of the forces and
the magnitude of one of the forces.

Example 11
The following diagrams show forces acting on uniform metre rules. The rulers are lying on a horizontal smooth
table top and shown as seen from above.
Which of the diagrams do not show a couple?
For the other diagrams, what is the torque of the couple?
Assume that for each option, the two forces are parallel to each other.

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Appendix

Buoyancy of a submarine

A submarine or a ship can float because the weight of the water it displaces is equal to the weight of the ship.
This displacement of water creates an upward force called the buoyancy (upthrust). Unlike a ship, a
submarine can control its weight, thus allowing it to sink and surface at will.

To control its weight, the submarine has ballast tanks and auxiliary, or trim tanks, that can be filled with water
or air. A supply of compressed air is maintained aboard the submarine in air flasks for life support and for
use with the ballast tanks.

When the submarine is on the surface, the ballast tanks are filled with air and the submarine's overall density
is less than that of the surrounding water. As the submarine dives, the ballast tanks are flooded with water
and the air in the ballast tanks is vented from the submarine until its overall density is greater than that of the
surrounding water and the submarine begins to sink. To keep the submarine level at any set depth, the
submarine maintains a balance of air and water in the trim tanks so that its overall density is equal to the
surrounding water.

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Tutorial 4: Forces

Self-Review Questions

Use these questions to test your familiarity with the concepts. These questions should be sufficiently easy such that
you can solve them on your own, with a little bit of thinking, without help from the tutors. The solutions are made available
on Google Classroom for self-check.

S1. A wooden block, with a density of 400 kg m-3 and a volume of 0.030 m3, is floating in water. The
density of water is 1000 kg m-3.

(a) What is the net force acting on the wooden block?

(b) What is the weight of wooden block?
(c) What is the upthrust acting on the block?
(d) What is the volume of the block beneath the
surface of water?

S2. (J93/P1/Q23) A tall container, which is open to the atmosphere, contains a layer of liquid L, floating on
liquid M. Liquid M has a density which is twice as great as that of liquid L. Which graph shows how the
pressure p at a point varies with its height x above the base of the container?

S3. An inextensible string supports a solid iron object of mass 180 g, totally immersed in a liquid of density
800 kg m-3. The density of iron is 8000 kg m-3. Calculate the tension in the string.

S4. A cup, half-filled with water, is resting on a weighing scale which registers a reading W. When a boy
dips his finger in the water without touching the base, the reading of the weighing scale changes to W’.

Which of the following statements is correct?

A W’ = W because the water has not overflowed from the beaker.
B W’ < W because the water exerts an upthrust on the boy’s finger.
C W’ > W because the water exerts an upthrust on the boy’s finger, and thus the boy’s
finger exerts a force back on the water.
D W’ > W because the weight of the boy’s finger is added to that of the water in the
beaker.

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S5. (2010/H1/P1/Q8) A full barrel of weight W is being rolled up a

ramp. The force P is required to hold the barrel at rest on the
ramp. Friction between the barrel and the ramp stops the barrel
from slipping.
Which arrow represents the resultant force the ramp exerts on
the barrel?

S6. (J/96/P1/Q5) The diagram shows a light diving-board held

in position by two rods X and Y.
Which additional forces do these rods exert on the board
when a diver of weight 600 N stands on the right-hand
end?

At X At Y
(downwards) (upwards)
A 400 N 1000 N
B 600 N 1200 N
C 900 N 600 N
D 900 N 1500 N

S7. (2009/H2/P2/Q3) Fig.3.1 shows a force diagram that represents a boat that is being lifted by two ropes
so that the boat remains horizontal and travels vertically upwards at a constant speed after leaving the
water.

The weight of the boat is 15 000 N and the tensions in the ropes 1 and 2 are T1 and T2, respectively.

(a) The position of the centre of gravity of the boat is not at its midpoint. Suggest what this implies
about the distribution of mass in the boat.
(b) Explain two conditions required for the boat to be in a state of equilibrium while it is moving
upwards.
(c) Use the principle of moments to determine the tensions in the two ropes.

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Discussion Questions

D1. Consider a uniform ladder leaning against a wall. By drawing and labelling the forces acting on the
ladder for each scenario, determine the scenario(s) in which the ladder will definitely slip.

A B C D
smooth rough smooth rough
wall wall wall wall

smooth floor smooth floor rough floor rough floor

D2. (N/18/P1/Q5) A student balances a long-handled

broom XY horizontally across the top of the back of a
chair. The top of the chair O is at a distance 1.05 m
from the end X of the handle.
A 200 g mass is tied to the handle by a thread at a
distance of 0.10 m from the end of X of the handle. The
broom now needs to be moved 0.27 m to the right to
balance horizontally.
What is the mass of the broom?

A 500 g
B 580 g
C 700 g
D 830 g

D3. (N/19/P2/Q1)
(a) State the conditions required for a body to be in equilibrium.
(b) A person of weight 700 N hangs at rest from a point on a wire, as shown in Fig. 1.1. The tensions
in the wire are T1 and T2.
The weights of the wire and the equipment supporting the person are negligible.

The tension T1 is at an angle of 20° to the horizontal. The tension T2 is at an angle of 10° to the
horizontal.
Determine the magnitudes of T1 and T2.

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(c) A wire is supported at one end by a vertical pole of height 1.8 m. The base of the pole rests on
the surface of solid ground, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

The wire is at an angle of 10° below the horizontal. A cable, attached 1.2 m from the base of the
pole, supports the pole. The other end of the cable is attached to the ground at a horizontal
distance of 1.6 m from the base of the pole. The tension in the wire is 150 N. The pole is in
equilibrium.
Calculate the tension T in the support cable.

D4. A uniform rod of mass 8.0 kg and length 0.50 m is pivoted about point P. It is held in position by a spring
of original length 0.20 m, spring constant 5.0 x 102 N m-1, and negligible mass. Find the length x.

D5. RJC/2009/Prelim/P3/Q1
(a) Define moment of a force.

(b) A uniform rigid rod of weight W1 = 400 N is attached to a vertical beam by a hinge as shown. The
other end of the rod is fastened to a support cable. The structure is used to support a load of weight
W2 = 2000 N.

(i) Show that the tension T in the support cable is 3810 N.

(ii) Determine the magnitude and direction of the horizontal
and vertical components of the force acting on the rod
by the hinge.

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D6. (HCI/BT/05/P2/Q3)
(a) Define moment of a force.
(b) The diagram shows the side view of a baby stroller. The combined mass of stroller and the boy is
22.0 kg.
(i) Assuming that the centre of gravity of the boy and handle
stroller lies 0.40 m in front of the hind wheels and
0.35 m above the ground, determine the forces
experienced by the front wheels F1 and that
1.20 m
experienced by the hind wheels F2 from the ground.
(ii) As the stroller is not easy to manoeuvre, it is
common to see parents hanging their groceries at
the handle to free their hands. Determine the
maximum load that can be placed at the handle 1.00 m 0.30 m
before the stroller topples over.
(iii) It is still extremely dangerous to hang groceries at
the handle even though it may be less than the maximum load calculated in (ii). Suggest why this
is so.

D7. (2008/P1/Q8) A uniform rod has a wooden section and a solid rubber handle, as shown.

The length of the handle is ℓ and the length of the wooden section is 4.00 ℓ. The rod balances a distance
density of rubber
2.10 ℓ from the rubber end. What is the ratio ?
density of wood

A 1.71
B 2.25
C 2.50
D 3.27

D8. A piece of solid weighs W1 in air and W2 when totally immersed in a liquid. Given that the density of
the liquid is ρ, determine the volume of the solid in terms of W1, W2, ρ and g.

D9. (2012/H2/P1/Q7) A small air bubble in some water is rising to the surface with constant velocity. The
volume of the bubble is 2.370 × 10-8 m3. The density of water is 1000 kg m3. The density of air is
1.290 kg m-3. What is the magnitude of the viscous force on the bubble?

A 2.367 × 10-5 N
B 2.373 × 10-5 N
C 2.322 × 10-4 N
D 2.328 × 10-4 N

D10. A cube of wood 20 cm on a side and having a density of 0.65  103 kg m-3 floats on water. Take the
density of water to be 1.0  103 kg m-3.
(a) What is the distance from the top surface of the cube to the water level?
(b) Find the mass of lead that has to be placed on top of the cube so that the cube’s top is just level
with the water level.

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 Hwa Chong Institution (College)
H2 Physics C1 2022
D11. The weight indicated on a weighing machine is X when a beaker of
water is placed on it. A solid object has weight Y in air and displaces
weight Z of water when completely immersed. The figure shows the
object suspended from a spring balance and completely immersed in
the beaker of water. What are the readings on the spring balance and
the weighing machine in the given arrangement?

Spring balance Weighing machine

A Y–Z X
B Y+Z X+Y–Z
C Y+Z X+Y
D Y-Z X+Z

D12. A copper block of mass 0.50 kg is hung from the end of a light,
inextensible thread and immersed in a fast-flowing river, as shown. The
other end of the thread is suspended from a fixed point above water. The
river currents caused the copper block to be displaced to the right such
that the thread makes an angle of 20 o with the vertical. The density of
copper is 9.00 x 103 kg m-3 and the density of the river water is 20 o
1.00 x 103 kg m-3.

Calculate the magnitude of the horizontal force exerted on the copper

block by the river currents. copper block

D13. (HCI/BT/08/P2B/Q1)
A spherical steel ball bearing of diameter 1.40 cm is placed on steel
ball
a wooden block of mass 50.0 g, such that the block and ball
bearing
bearing are floating in a cylinder of oil, as shown in Figure 1.
wooden
In the following parts of the question, you may assume that: block
density of steel, steel = 7.85 g cm-3 oil
density of oil, oil = 0.83 g cm-3

i. Consider the ball bearing and the wooden block as a single

system, as in Figure 2. Draw labelled arrows to indicate the Figure 1
external forces acting on this system.
ii. Determine the upthrust acting on the system in (i). oil
iii. Hence, calculate the volume of oil displaced by the wooden block level
to keep the system afloat.
iv. The ball bearing now rolls off the piece of wooden block and falls
into the oil. Explain how the oil level in the cylinder will change.
Figure 2

Numerical Answers to Tutorial 4: Forces

D3 (b) T1 = 1380 N, T2 = 1320 N; (c) 277 N

D4 0.471 m
D5 (b) (ii) 900 N & 1910 N
D6 (b) (i) F1 = 86 N, F2 = 129 N; (ii) 288 N
D8 (W1 – W2) / (ρg)
D10 (a) 7 cm; (b) 2.8 kg
D12 1.59 N
D13 (ii) 0.601 N; (iii) 73.8 cm3
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 Hwa Chong Institution (College)
H2 Physics C1 2022

FORCES
exerted between bodies in physical contact action at a distance SUMMARY
Spring/Elastic force Types of Forces
For springs that obey Hooke’s Law:
• External force Fext pulling on Contact Forces Non-Contact Forces
extending or compressing spring, • Gravitational force between masses
Fext = kx • Electric force between charges
where Upthrust or Buoyant Force
Pressure due to Fluid • Magnetic force between currents
k is the spring constant; • is the net upward force exerted by a fluid
x is the extension or compression (a fluid is any liquid or gas)
on a body floating/submerged in the fluid.
• is the force acting per unit Drag/Viscous Force
area by the fluid on a body • Archimedes’ Principle
(used to compute the magnitude of the • Force resisting an object moving relative to a fluid.
submerged at a depth in the upthrust): (e.g. air resistance)
fluid. Upthrust (U) on object = Weight of fluid • Always opposes motion (hence, no motion, no force)
• Hydrostatic Pressure or the displaced by object • Magnitude is dependent on the velocity of the
pressure due to a fluid at a U = mf g = ρfVdis g object relative to the fluid, e.g.,
• Restoring force in spring depth h is given by: where laminar (streamline) flow: FD = kv
Fspring = kx p = hρg U is the upthrust acting on the object
turbulent flow: FD = kv2
where mf is the mass of the fluid displaced
h is depth g is the gravitational acceleration where
Elastic potential energy stored in spring, FD is the drag force acting on the object
U = Area under F − x graph p is the hydrostatic Vdis is the volume of the fluid displaced
pressure at this depth ρf is the density of the displaced fluid k is a constant dependent on the dimensions of
1 1 ρ is the density of the fluid the object the type of fluid
= Fx = kx 2 v is the velocity of the object relative to the fluid
2 2 g is the gravitational For an object floating in equilibrium in a
acceleration (relationship usually provided in exam questions)
fluid (Principle of Flotation):
Equilibrium of Forces
Weight of object = Upthrust on object Centre of gravity (c.g.) of a body is the point at which the
2 conditions for a rigid body to be in static equilibrium: weight of the body appears to act. E.g.

1) Translational equilibrium: net external force acting on the body is zero. Turning Effects of Forces

F = 0 The moment of a force about a point is the product of the

magnitude of the force F and the ⊥ distance d⊥ of the line
 F x = 0 &  Fy = 0 (& in fact,  Fz = 0)
of action of the force to the point.  = Fd⊥
2) Rotational equilibrium: net torque on the body about any point is zero.

 = 0
 sum of clockwise moments = sum of anticlockwise moments
Lower c.g. increases stability of object.
Note: A couple consists of 2 parallel forces which are equal in
• For 3-forces system in static equilibrium, the 3 forces form a closed vector magnitude and opposite in direction
triangle.
• acting on an extended body in static equilibrium, the line of action of the The torque of a couple is the product of the magnitude of
3 forces must intersect at a common point unless the 3 forces are //. one of the forces of the couple and the perpendicular
distance between the forces