Mechanics 1 (PAPER 4)

CHAPTER 3 : Forces in Two Dimensions

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

EXAMPLES

1. A particle in equilibrium has three forces of magnitudes 5 N, 6 N and F N acting on it in the horizontal plane
in the directions shown. Find the values of F and 𝜃. [M1 book; Ex 3A; No.3]

2. A boat is held in equilibrium by three forces of 10 N, 𝐹 N and 20 N as shown in the diagram.

Find the values of 𝐹 and 𝜃. [𝑴𝟏 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌; 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟑. 𝟑; 𝒑𝒈 𝟔𝟎]

3. A boat is in equilibrium held by a rope to the shore. The rope exerts

a force T at an angle 𝜃 from north. The wind blows the boat with
force 40 N in a northwest direction. The current pushes it south with
a force of 50 N. Show that 𝑇 sin 𝜃 = 20√2 and find an expression
8+10√2
for T cos 𝜃. Hence, show that tan 𝜃 = 17
and find 𝜃 and T.

[M1 book; EOC Review Ex 3; No. 5]

4. A particle P of mass 1.05 kg is attached to one end of two

light inextensible strings, of lengths 2.6 m and 1.25 m. The
other ends of the strings are attached to fixed points A and
B, which are at the same horizontal level. P hangs in
equilibrium at a point 1 m below the level of A and B (see
diagram). Find the tension in the strings.
[M1 book; EOC Review Ex 3; No. 16]
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5. A particle P is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table under the action of four horizontal forces of
magnitudes 6 N, 5 N, F N and F N acting in the directions shown. Find the values of 𝛼 and F.

[M1 book; CT Review Ex 1; Page 81; No. 11]

6. A box of mass 5 kg lies on a smooth horizontal floor. The box is pulled by a

force of 2 N applied at an angle of 30° to the horizontal, causing the box to
accelerate horizontal along the floor.

a) Work out the acceleration of the box.

b) Work out the normal reaction of the box with the floor.

7. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force acting on each of the particles shown below.

8. Three forces act upon a particle as shown in the diagram below. Given that each particle is in equilibrium,
calculate the magnitude of 𝐵 and the value of 𝜃.

9. A force 𝑃 is applied to a box of mass 10 kg, causing the box to accelerate at 2 ms−2 along a smooth,
horizontal plane. Given that the force causing the acceleration is applied at 45° to the plane, work out the
value of 𝑃.

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10. A force of 20 N is applied to a box of mass 𝑚 kg, causing the box to accelerate at 0.5 ms−2 along a smooth,
horizontal plane. Given that the force causing the acceleration is applied at 25° to the plane, work out the
value of 𝑚.

11. A parachutist of mass 80 kg is attached to a parachute by two lines, each with

tension 𝑇. The parachutist is falling with constant velocity, and experiences a
resistance to motion due to air resistance equal to one quarter of her weight. Show
that the tension in each line, 𝑇, is 20√3𝑔 N.

12. A system of forces act upon a particle as shown in the diagram. The resultant
force on the particle is (2√3𝑖 + 2𝑗) N. Calculate the magnitudes of 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 .

13.
(a) A force, F, has a horizontal component, 𝐹𝑥 , of 10 N and acts at 20° above the rightwards horizontal, as
shown in the diagram. Find 𝐹 and the vertical component, 𝐹𝑦 .

(b) A force, F, has a vertical component, 𝐹𝑦 , of 8 N and acts at 25° to the right of the upwards vertical. Find F
and the horizontal component, 𝐹𝑥 .
(c) A force, F, has a vertical component, 𝐹𝑦 of 8 N and a horizontal component, 𝐹𝑥 , of 10 N. Find F and the
angle, 𝜃, that the force makes with the rightwards horizontal.
(d) A force of 25 N has a horizontal component, 𝐹𝑥 , of 17 N and acts above the horizontal. Fid the vertical
component , 𝐹𝑦 , and the angle,𝜃, above the rightwards horizontal at which the force acts.
(e) A force of 3.8 N a has a vertical component, 𝐹𝑦 , of 3 N and acts to the left of the vertical. Find the
horizontal component, 𝐹𝑥 , and the angle, 𝜃, above the leftwards horizontal at which the force acts.
[M1 book; Ex 3A; No. 2]

14. A ship is being blown by a breeze with a force of 100 N on a bearing

of 280°, as shown in the diagram. It is pulled by a rope attached to
the shore with force 50 N on a bearing of 170°. A tugboat holds it in
place. Find the size and bearing of the force F applied by the tugboat.
[M1 book; Ex 3A; No. 5]

15. A winch is dragging a caravan along a horizontal road at constant velocity. The caravan has mass 750 kg. The
which provides a force of 850 N and acts at angle 𝜃 above the horizontal, as shown in the diagram. There is
friction of 700 N.

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a) Draw the force diagram for this situation.
b) Find the value of 𝜃 and size of the normal contact force.

[M1 book; Ex 3A; No. 7]

16. A wooden block is held in position by there horizontal forces, as

shown in the diagram. One acts to the left with force 56 N. One acts
3
with force F at an angle 𝜃, where sin 𝜃 = 5, above the rightwards
15
horizontal. One acts with force G at an angle 𝜑, where sin 𝜑 = ,
17
below the rightwards horizontal. Find F and G.
[M1 book; Ex 3A; No. 10]

17. A particle of mass 3 kg slides down a smooth plane that is inclined at 20° to the horizontal.
a) Draw a force diagram to represent all the forces acting on the particle.
b) Work out the normal reaction between the particle and the plane.
c) Find the acceleration of the particle.

18. A force of 30 N acts horizontally on a particle of mass 5 kg that rests on a

smooth slope that is inclined at 30° to the horizontal as shown in the
diagram. Find the acceleration of the particle.

19. A particle of mass 𝑚 kg is pulled up a rough slope by a force of 26 N that acts at an

angle of 45° to the slope. The particle experiences a constant frictional force of
1
magnitude 12 N. Given that tan 𝛼 = and that the acceleration of the particle is
√3
−2
1 ms , show that 𝑚 = 1.08 kg (3 s.f.).

20. A block of mass 60 kg is pulled up a hill in the line of greatest slope by a force of magnitude 50 N acting at an
angle 𝛼° above the hill. The block passes through points A and B with speeds 8.5 ms−1 and 3.5 ms−1
respectively (see diagram). The distance AB is 250 m and B is 17.5 m above the level of A. The resistance to
motion of the block is 6 N. Find the value of 𝛼.

[M1 book; EOC Review Ex 3; No. 17]

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21. A force of 50 N is pulling a particle of mass 5 kg up a smooth plane that is inclined at 30° to the horizontal.
Given that the force acts parallel to the plane,
a) Draw a force diagram to represent all the forces acting on the particle
b) work out the normal reaction between the particle and the plane
c) find the acceleration of the particle.

22. A particle of mass 0.5 kg is held at rest on a smooth slope that is inclined at an angle 𝛼 to the horizontal. The
3
particle is released. Given that tan 𝛼 = 4, calculate:
a) the normal reaction between the particle and the plane
b) the acceleration of the particle.

23. A force of 30 N is pulling a particle of mass 6 kg up a rough slope that is inclined at 15° to the horizontal. The
force acts in the direction of motion of the particle and the particles experiences a constant resistance due to
friction.
a) Draw a force diagram to represent all the forces acting on the particle.
Given that the particle is moving with constant speed,
b) calculate the magnitude of the resistance due to friction.

24. A particle of mass 𝑚 kg is sliding down a smooth slope that is angled at 30° to the horizontal. The normal
reaction between the plane and the particle is 5 N.
a) Calculate the mass 𝑚 of the particle.
b) Calculate the acceleration of the particle.

25. A particle of mass 3 kg is moving on a rough slope that is inclined at 40° to the
horizontal. A force of 6 N acts vertically upon the particle. Given that the particle is
moving at a constant velocity, calculate the value of 𝐹, the constant resistance due
to friction.

26. A book of mass 3 kg is prevented from sliding down a slope at 15° to the horizontal by friction acting up the
slope and parallel to it. Find the force of friction and the normal contact force.
[M1 book; Ex 3B; No. 5]

27. A box of mass 12 kg is held in equilibrium on a slope at 18° to the horizontal by a force of size 50 N acting at
an angle 𝜃 above the slope. Find 𝜃 and the normal contact force.
[M1 book; Ex 3B; No. 8]

28. A girl is dragging a sled of mass 20 kg up a slope at angle 14° to the horizontal. She pulls at an angle of 𝜃
above the slope with a force of 70 N. She maintains a constant speed despite friction of 10 N parallel to the
slope. Find 𝜃 and the normal contact force.
[M1 book; Ex 3B; No. 10]

29. A particle of mass 4 kg is at rest on a slope at an angle of 49° to the horizontal. There is a frictional force of
10 N acting up the slope and a force F going up the slope acting at 9° above the slope. Find F and the normal
contact force.
[M1 book; Ex 3B; No. 11]

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30. A boat of mass 40 kg has an engine providing a driving force of 30 N in an easterly direction. It is also being
blown by the wind with a force 𝑇 to the north. The boat moves on a bearing of 60°. Find 𝑇 and the
acceleration of the boat.
[M1 book; Worked Example 3.9; pg 68]

31. A table is sliding down a slope at an angle 20° to the horizontal. There is resistance of 10 N acting up the
slope parallel to it. The table takes 5 s to slide 10 m down the slope from rest. Find the mass of the table.
[M1 book; Worked Example 3.10; pg 68]

32. A car of mass 1000 kg is being towed by two people holding ropes. One
pulls with a tension of 80 N at an angle of 18° to the direction of motion.
The other pulls at an angle of 25° to the direction of motion, as shown in the
diagram. Find the tension, T, in the second rope and the acceleration of the
car.
[M1 book; Ex 3D; No. 4]

33. A truck of mass 15 000 kg is being towed by two ropes. One pulls with a tension of 3000 N at an angle of 20°
to the direction of motion. The other pulls with a tension, T, at an angle of 10° to the direction of motion.
There is resistance of 500 N against the motion, in the same line as the motion.
(a) Draw the force diagram for this situation.
(b) Find T and the acceleration of the truck.

34. A train of mass 230 tonnes provides a driving force of 300 000 N to
accelerates up a slope at an angle of 5° to the horizontal. The force
diagram is shown. Find the acceleration of the train.
[M1 book; Ex 3D; No.8]

35. A boat of mass 100 𝑘𝑔 experiences a force of 30 𝑁 eastward from the wind
and a force of 40 𝑁 from the tide on a bearing of 35°, as shown in the diagram.
Find the direction of the subsequent motion and acceleration.

[𝑴𝟏 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌; Worked E𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟑. 𝟏𝟏; 𝒑𝒈 𝟕𝟑]

36. A particle of mass 3 𝑘𝑔 is attached to three ropes in the horizontal plane with
forces of 2𝑁, 4𝑁 and 3𝑁, as shown in the diagram.
Find the direction of the subsequent motion and acceleration.
[𝑴𝟏 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌; Worked 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟑. 𝟏𝟐; 𝒑𝒈 𝟕𝟒]

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37. There coplanar forces act on a particle, as shown in the following diagram:
X has components 0 N in the 𝑥-direction and 20 N in the 𝑦-direction.
Y has components 25 N in the 𝑥-directon and -10 N in the 𝑦- direction.
Z has components -10 N in the 𝑥 –direction and -15 N in the 𝑦 – direction.

Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the three forces.
[M1 book; Ex 3E; No.5]

38. A van of mass 2000 kg is towed from rest by two ropes. One pulls with a tension of 130 N at 10° to the
direction of motion and the other acts at 15° to the direction of motion. Find the distance covered in 10 s.
[M1 book; Ex 3D; No. 17]

39. A ship of mass 15 000 kg is moving due east at 2 𝑚 𝑠 −1 when it starts being towed by a tugboat. The wind is
blowing it on a bearing of 60°, so the tugboat exerts a force of 5000 N on a bearing of 100° to make the ship
continue to go east. Find the speed of the ship after 5 s.
[M1 book; Ex 3D; No. 18]

40. A particle of mass 25 kg has two forces acting on it, one of 20 N and one of 35
N, in the directions shown. Find the magnitude and direction of the resulting
acceleration.
[M1 book; Ex 3E; No. 4]

41. Coplanar forces of magnitudes 58 N, 31 N and 26 N act at a point in the

directions shown in the diagram.
5
Given that tan 𝛼 = , find the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the
12
three forces.
[M1 book; EOC Review Ex 3; No.15]

42. A small bead Q can move freely along a

smooth horizontal straight wire AB of length
3 m. Three horizontal
forces of magnitudes F N, 10 N and 20 N act
on the bead in the directions shown in the
diagram. The magnitude of the resultant of
the three forces is R N in the direction shown
in the diagram.

(i) Find the values of F and R.

(ii) Initially the bead is at rest at A. It reaches B with a speed of 11.7 m/s. Find the mass of the bead.

[M1 book; Cross Topic Review Ex; pg 81; No.13]

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 TOPICAL QUESTION PAPER

Chapter 3: Forces in Two Dimensions

1. A particle 𝑃 is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table

under the action of horizontal forces of magnitudes
𝐹 N, 𝐹 N, 𝐺 N and 12 N acting in the directions shown.
Find the values of 𝐹 and 𝐺.
[J06/M1/Q3]

2. Forces of magnitudes 𝑃 N and 25 N act at right angles to

each other. The resultant of the two forces has magnitude
𝑅 N and makes an angle of 𝜃 with the 𝑥-axis (see
diagram). The force of magnitude 𝑃 N has components
−2.8 N and 9.6 N in the 𝑥-direction and the 𝑦-direction
respectively, and makes an angle of 𝛼° with the negative
𝑥-axis.
i) Find the values of 𝑃 and 𝑅.
ii) Find the value of 𝛼, and hence find the
components of the force of magnitude 25 N in
a) the 𝑥-direction
b) the 𝑦-direction
iii) Find the value of 𝜃
[N06/M1/Q6]

3. Two forces, each of magnitude 8 N, act at a point in the directions 𝑂𝐴

and 𝑂𝐵. The angle between the forces is 𝜃° (see diagram). The
resultant of the two forces has component 9 N in the direction 𝑂𝐴.
Find
a) The value of 𝜃
b) The magnitude of the resultant of the two forces.
[J07/M1/Q2]

4.
A particle is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table when acted on
by the three horizontal forces shown in the diagram.
i) Find the values of 𝐹 and 𝜃.
ii) The force of magnitude 7 N is now removed. State the
magnitude and direction of the resultant of the remaining two
forces.
[N07/M1/Q3]

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5.
Three horizontal forces of magnitudes 𝐹 N, 13 N and 10 N act at a fixed point
𝑂 and are in equilibrium. The direction of the forces are as shown in the
diagram. Find, in either order, the value of 𝜃, and the value of 𝐹.
[J08/M1/Q3]

6. Forces of magnitudes 10 N and 8 N act in directions as shown

in the diagram.
i) Write down in terms of 𝜃 the component of the resultant
of the two forces
a) Parallel to the force of magnitude 10 𝑁,
b) Perpendicular to the force of magnitude 10 𝑁.
5
ii) The resultant of the two forces has magnitude 8 𝑁. Show that cos 𝜃 = 8 .
[N08/M1/Q1]

7. Forces of magnitudes 7 𝑁, 10 𝑁 and 15 𝑁 act on a particle in the

directions shown in the diagram.
i) Find the component of the resultant of the three forces
a) In the 𝑥- direction.
b) In the 𝑦-direction.
ii) Hence find the direction of the resultant.
[J09/M1/Q3]

8. Coplanar forces of magnitudes 250 N, 160 N and 370 N act at a point 𝑂 in

the directions shown in the diagram, where the angle 𝛼 is such that
sin 𝛼 = 0.28 and cos 𝛼 = 0.96.
Calculate the magnitude of the resultant of the three forces. Calculate also
the angle that the resultant makes with the 𝑥-direction.

[J10/M1/Q4]

9. A particle 𝑃 is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table under the action

of four horizontal forces of magnitudes 6 N, 5 N, 𝐹 N and 𝐹 N acting in the
directions shown.
Find the values of 𝛼 and 𝐹.
[N10/M1/Q3]

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10. The three coplanar forces shown in the diagram act at a
point 𝑃 and are in equilibrium.
i) Find the values of 𝐹 and 𝜃.
ii) State the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force at 𝑃 when the force of magnitude 12 N is
removed.
[J11/M1/Q4]

11. Three coplanar forces of magnitudes 𝐹 𝑁, 12 𝑁 and 15 𝑁 are in equilibrium

acting at a point 𝑃 in the direction shown in the diagram. Find 𝛼 and 𝐹.
[J12/M1/Q2]

12. Three coplanar forces of magnitudes 68 N, 75 N and 100 N act at

an origin 𝑂, as shown in the diagram. The components of the three
forces in thee positive 𝑥-direction are −60 𝑁, 0 𝑁 and 96 𝑁,
respectively.
Find
i) The components of the three forces in the positive 𝑦-
direction,
ii) The magnitude and direction of the resultant of the three
forces.
[N12/M1/Q4]

13. A particle 𝑃 of mass 2.1 kg is attached to one

end of each of two light inextensible strings.
The other ends of the strings are attached to
points 𝐴 and 𝐵 which are at the same horizontal
level. 𝑃 hangs in equilibrium at a point 40 cm
below the level of 𝐴 and 𝐵 and the strings 𝑃𝐴
and 𝑃𝐵 have length of 50 cm and 104 cm
respectively (see diagram). Show that the
tension in the string 𝑃𝐴 is 20N, and find the tension in the string 𝑃𝐵.
[J13/M1/Q3]

14. 𝐴 and 𝐵 are fixed points of a vertical wall with 𝐴 vertically above
𝐵. A particle 𝑃 of mass 0.7 kg is attached to 𝐴 by a light
inextensible string of length 3 m. 𝑃 is also attached to 𝐵 by a light
inextensible string of length 2.5 m. 𝑃 is maintained in equilibrium at
a distance of 2.4 m from the wall by a horizontal force of magnitude
10 N acting on 𝑃 (see diagram). Both strings are taut, and the 10 N
force acts in the plane 𝐴𝑃𝐵 which is perpendicular to the wall. Find
the tensions in the strings.
[J14/M1/Q3]

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15. Three coplanar forces act at a point. The magnitudes of the forces
are 20 𝑁, 25 𝑁 and 30 𝑁, and the directions in which the forces
act are as shown in the diagram, where sin 𝛼 = 0.28 and
cos 𝛼 = 0.96, and sin 𝛽 = 0.6 and cos 𝛽 = 0.8.
i) Show that the resultant of the three forces has a zero
component in the 𝑥-direction.
ii) Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the
three forces.
iii) The force of magnitude 20 𝑁 is replaced by another force.
The effect is that the resultant force is unchanged in
magnitude but reversed in direction. State the magnitude
and direction of the replacement force.
[N14/M1/Q2]

16. Four horizontal forces act at a point O and are in equilibrium. The magnitudes of
the forces are 𝐹 𝑁, 𝐺 𝑁, 15 𝑁 and 𝐹 𝑁, and the forces act in directions as shown in
the diagram.
i) Show that 𝐹 = 41.0, correct to 3 significant figures.
ii) Find the value of 𝐺.
[N15/M1/Q1]

17. Coplanar forces of magnitudes 7 𝑁, 6 𝑁 and 8 𝑁 act at a point in the

3
directions shown in the diagram. Given that sin 𝛼 = 5 , find the
magnitude and direction of the resultant of the three forces.
[J16/M1/Q1]

18.

A boat is being pulled along a river by two people. One of the people walks along a path on one side of the river
and the other person walks along a path on the opposite side of the river. The first person exerts a horizontal
force of 60 N at an angle of 25° to the direction of the river. The second person exerts a horizontal force of 50 N
at an angle of 15° to the direction of the river (see diagram).
i) Find the total force exerted by the two people in the direction of the river.
ii) Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force exerted by the two people.
[N16/M1/Q3]

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