Revision 2- Force and Pressure 2009

1. Diagram 1 shows a man attempting to drink water through a very long straw.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 1
a) Explain why he can manage to drink water through a straw. [2 marks]
b) What is the maximum height through which he can lift the water. Explain
your answer. (Atmospheric pressure = 10 m water) [2 marks]
2.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 2.1

Diagram 2.2

Diagram 2.1 shows a U-tube containing columns of mercury and water in

equilibrium.
a) If atmospheric pressure is 76 cmHg, density of mercury = 13600 kg m -3
and density of water = 1000 kg m-3, calculate
i.
The pressure exerted by the mercury column at X, in cmHg. [1
marks]
ii.
The total pressure at X, in cmHg. [1 mark]
iii.
The total pressure at Y, in cmHg. [1 mark]
iv.
The height of the water column, h. [3 marks]
b) In diagram 2.2, 17.0 cm of oil of density 800 kg m -3 is poured on top of the
water. What is the height of the mercury column required to balance the
pressure produced by the oil column? [2 marks]
c) In Diagram 2.2, the left hand side of the U-tube is connected to a gas
source. When the gas is released, the mercury levels on both sides of the
tube become equal.
i.
Determine the pressure exerted by the gas. [1 mark]
ii.
Name this setup for measuring the pressure of a gas source. [1
mark]
3. Diagram 3.1 shows a dentist chair for children. The chair uses a hydraulic
system.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 3.1
a) Name the physics principle used in a hydraulic system. [1 mark]
b) Explain how the chair can be lifted up when the pedal is pressed down? [2
marks]
c) Why the system is less effective if air bubbles are present in hydraulic
fluid? [1 mark]
d) The cross-sectional area of the big piston and the small piston are 100 cm 2
and 20 cm2 respectively. The mass of the chair is 20 kg. Calculate the
force exerted on the small piston to lift up the child of 30 kg. [2 marks]
e) Suggest the modifications required to the size of piston and the size of the
seat so that the chair is suitable and safe for the use of adults. Give the
reasons.

Piston size:
Reason:
Seat size:
Reason:
4. Diagram 4.1 shows a model of a hydraulic jack. The force F 1 applied on the
small piston R is able to support two loads which placed on piston S and T.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 4.1
a) Name the principle used in the hydraulic jack. [1 mark]
b)
i.
If F1 = 5.0 N, calculate the pressure exerted on piston R. [2 marks]
ii.
Compare the fluid pressure at S and T to the pressure at R. [1 mark]
iii.
Determine the magnitude of the force F 2. [2 marks]
c) Give one reason why it is more suitable to use a liquid instead of air as the
hydraulic fuild. [1mark]
5.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 5.1
Diagram 5.1 shows the structure of a simple hydraulic jack where a small
force F1 is used to produce a bigger force F2. A1 and A2 are the cross-sectional
areas of the pistons.
a) A force of 100 N is applied to the smaller piston? [2 marks]
i.
What is the pressure exerted on the piston? [2 marks]
ii.
What is the force multiplier of this hydraulic jack? [2 marks]
iii.
How much force is exerted on the larger piston? [2 marks]
iv.
What is the principle been applied in (a)(iii)? [1 mark]
b) Diagram 5.2 shows a simple hydraulic machine used for lifting heavy load
such as car in a garage. It consists of two pistons X and Y of cross
sectional area 0.02 m2 and 0.28 m2 respectively. When piston X is pressed
down by applying a force of 15 N, a large force is produced on piston Y.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 5.2
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Explain briefly how the load can be lifted up when the small piston
X is pressed down. [4 marks]
Calculate the pressure exerted on the liquid by piston X. [2 marks]
Calculate the maximum load that can be lifted by piston Y. [2
marks]
If piston X is depressed downwards by a distance of 21 cm, what is
the distance moved by piston Y? [2 marks]

6. Diagram 6.1 shows a U-tube containing some mercury connect to

uncompressible liquid in a container.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 6.1

a) If the tap is closed, why are the levels of mercury X and Y are the same?
[1 mark]
b) Then the tap T is open and the piston is pushed by a force 200 N as shown
in Diagram 6.2.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 6.2
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Why is the level of mercury at X decreases?

What is the pressure exerted by the piston if the surface area of the
piston is 0.01 m2? [2 marks]
Determine the height of mercury h. [2 marks]
What is the assumption that you can make to obtain the answer in
b(iii). [1 mark]
State the physics principle involved. [1 mark]

7.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 7.1 Diagram 7.2
Diagram 7.1 and 7.2 show two hydraulic jacks being used to lift loads A and B
with masses 1 kg each. The surface areas of piston E and F are 0.2 cm 2 and
0.4 cm2 respectively., while the surface areas of piston G and H are 0.2 cm 2
and 0.8 cm2. When a force is exerted on pistons E and G, pressure will be
exerted to the liquids in the jacks.
a) State two similarities that can be obtained from both diagram. [2 marks]
b) If a force of 2 N is applied to piston E, it will produce a pressure of 40 Nm -2.
Calculate the force needed to lift the load B if the same pressure is
applied. [2 marks]
8. Diagram 8.1 shows the brake system of a car.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 8.1
a) State the physics principle involved in the operation of the brake system.
[1 mark]
b) Explain how the system operates when the ear needs to slow down. [4
marks]
c) Table 8 shows the specifications of components that can be used in brake
system, P,Q,R,S and T.
Brake
system

Specifications of components in a car brake system

Specific heat
capacity of
brake J kg-1

C-1

Melting
point of
brake
disc,

Compressio
n of brake
fluid

Hardness of brake
pads

360

930

Difficult

High

2400

1220

Difficult

Low

890

580

Easy

High

2210

1940

Difficult

High

1460

2070

Easy

Low

Based on Table 8
You are required to determine the most suitable brake system and explain
the suitability of the aspects in Table 8. [10 marks]
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Diagram 8.2
d) Diagram 8.2 shows a hydraulic system used to raise a load by a distance
of X m. A force of 50N is applied on piston A of cross-sectional area 2 cm 2.
Load is placed on piston B of cross-sectional area 15 cm 2.
i.
Calculate the force acting on piston B. [2 marks]
ii.
Calculate the distance, X, moved by piston B if the distance moved
by piston A is 21 cm. [3 marks]