Page 1

Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School 4.

CE Physics – Inertia, Force and Motion
Name : _____________________
Class : S 4 ______ ( )

1.

Y has a linear relationship with time as shown. Y may represent

Three blocks of equal mass are placed on a smooth horizontal surface as (1990-4)
shown in the figure above. A constant force F is applied to block A so that the (1) the speed of a body starting from rest under a constant force.
three blocks move towards the right with the same acceleration. The net force (2) the distance travelled by a body at constant speed.
acting on the block B is (1989-6) (3) the acceleration of a body falling from rest.
A. 0F
A. (1) only
1
B. F B. (3) only
3 C. (1) and (2) only
1 D. (2) and (3) only
C. F
2 E. (1), (2) and (3)
2
D. F 5.
3
E. 1F
1st statement 2nd statement
2. A car runs faster on a The friction on the wheels of cars
frictionless road. is smaller when the road is Two blocks of equal mass are placed on a smooth horizontal surface as
slippery. (1988-45) shown above. A constant force of 12 N is applied to block A so that the two
blocks move towards the right together. The force acting on A by B
3. When the two objects are A greater gravitational force will (1991-2)
released from rest at the same be acting on the object with A. zero.
height, the one with greater greater mass. (1994-42) B. 6 N to the left.
mass will take a shorter time C. 6 N to the right.
to reach the ground. (Assume D. 12 N to the left.
air resistance is negligible.) E. 12 N to the right.
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 2
6. 7.

A force F is applied to a block of mass 1 kg as shown above. The

The diagram above shows the variation of the net force acting on an object
which is initially at rest. Which of the following velocity-time graphs
correctly describes the motion of the object ? (1991-7)
GREATEST value of F for the block to remain at rest is 11 N. What would
be the motion of the block if F is not applied ? (1991-9)
A. remaining at rest
B. sliding down with constant velocity
C. sliding down with an acceleration of 1 m s−2.
D. sliding down with an acceleration of 5 m s−2.
E. sliding down with an acceleration of 6 m s−2.

8. A man of weight W stands inside a lift which is moving upwards with a

constant speed. If the force exerted by the floor on the man is R, which of the
following statements is/are correct ? (1991-10)

(1) R is greater than W in magnitude.

(2) R and W are in opposite directions.
(3) R and W form an action and reaction pair according to Newton’s
third law.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 3
9. 11. Which of the following pairs of forces F1 and F2 is/are action and reaction
pair(s) according to Newton’s third law of motion ? (1992-10)

Two identical blocks X and Y are connected by a light string passing over a
smooth pulley as shown above. The two blocks are released from rest. After a
while, the string breaks. Which of the following correctly describes the
motion of the blocks immediately after the string breaks ? (1992-8)

X Y
stops moving accelerates at 5 ms−2
moves with constant velocity accelerates at 5 ms−2
accelerates at 5 ms−2 moves with constant velocity
moves with constant velocity accelerates at 10 ms−2
decelerates at 5 ms−1 accelerates at 10 ms−2
A. (2) only
10. B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (1) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)
1 st statement 2 nd statement
In the above diagram, blocks A and B are connected by a light inextensible An unbalanced force is Friction always opposes motion.
string and rest on a smooth horizontal table. The masses of A and B are 2 kg needed to keep a body in (1992-41)
and 3 kg respectively. Block A is pulled by a force of 2 N. Find the tension in motion.
the string S. (1992-9)
13. When an object rests on the When an object rests on the floor, its
A. 0.4 N floor, its weight and the weight and the force acting on it by
B. 0.8 N force acting on it by the the floor are equal in magnitude and
C. 1.0 N floor form an action and opposite in direction. (1993-42)
D. 1.2 N reaction pair.
E. 2.0 N
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 4
14. 16. A man of mass 50 kg is standing in a lift. If the lift is falling freely, which of
the following statements is/are true ? (1994-6)

A trolley is given a push and runs down a friction-compensated runway. The (1) The weight of the man is 0 N.
motion of the trolley is recorded on the paper tape as shown above. Which of (2) The force acting on the floor of the lift by the man is 500 N.
the following changes can enable the trolley to produce a paper tape as shown (3) The force acting on the man by the floor of the lift is 0 N.
below ? (1994-2)
A. (1) only
B. (3) only
(1) Giving the trolley a harder initial push C. (1) and (2) only
(2) Increasing the angle of inclination of the runway D. (2) and (3) only
(3) Increasing the frequency of the ticket-tape timer E. (1), (2) and (3)
A. (1) only 17.
B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (2) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)
15.
A trolley is placed on a horizontal ground. A force F inclined at an angle θ to
the horizontal acts on the trolley. What is the horizontal component of F that
pulls the trolley towards the right ? (1995-6)

A. Fθ
B. Fsinθ
C. Fcosθ
F
D.
sin θ
Two blocks X and Y of weights 2 N and 8 N respectively are suspended by F
E.
two light strings as shown above. A downward force of 4 N is applied to X. cosθ
Find the tensions T1 and T2 in the two strings. (1994-4)
T1 T2
A. 2N 8N
B. 4N 10 N
C. 4N 14 N
D. 6N 12 N
E. 6N 14 N
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 5
18.
(1) R and W
(2) W and F
(3) F and R

Smooth horizontal surface A. (1) only

B. (2) only
In the above diagram, the two blocks are connected by a light string S. They C. (3) only
move with uniform acceleration of 2 m s−2 under the action of a constant D. (1) and (2) only
force F. What will the accelerations of the blocks become if S suddenly E. (2) and (3) only
breaks? (1995-2)
20.
2 kg block 4 kg block

A. 6 m s−2 0 m s−2
B. 6 m s−2 2 m s−2
A block remains at rest on an inclined plane as shown above. Which of the
C. 2 m s−2 0 m s−2
following statements is/are true ? (1996-8)
D. 2 m s−2 2 m s−2
E. 0 m s−2 3 m s−2 (1) The frictional force acting by the plane on the block is zero.
19 (2) The normal reaction acting by the plane on the block is zero.
(3) The resultant force acting on the block is zero.

A. (2) only
B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (1) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)

The above diagram shows a block resting on the ground.

Let W be the weight of the block,

F be the gravitational force acting on the earth by the block, and
R be the force acting on the block by the ground.

Which of the following pairs of forces is/are action and reaction pair(s)
according to Newton’s third law of motion ? (1995-11)
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 6
21. Which of the following statements about mass and weight is incorrect ? B. (2) only
(1996-3) C. (1) and (3) only
A. Mass is measured in kilograms and weight in newtons. D. (2) and (3) only
B. Mass is a scalar while weight is a vector. E. (1), (2) and (3)
C. Mass is a measure of the inertia of an object and weight is a measure 24.
of the gravitational pull on it.
D. The weight of an object at a particular place is proportional to its
mass.
E. Both the mass and weight of an object vary slightly at different
places on the earth.
22. Which of the following statements concerning the motion of an object is/are
correct ? (1996-5) The above diagram shows a man lifting a ball vertically upwards with
(1) A constant unbalanced force is needed to keep an object moving with uniform acceleration.
uniform velocity.
(2) An increasing unbalanced force is needed to keep an object moving Let F1 be the force acting on the ball by the man,
with uniform acceleration. F2 be the force acting on the man by the ball,
(3) An object may remain at rest if there is no unbalanced force acting F3 be the gravitational force acting on the ball.
on it.
A. (2) only Which of the following correctly describes the relation between the
B. (3) only magnitudes of the forces ? (1996-10)
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (1) and (3) only A. F1 = F2 > F3
E. (1), (2) and (3) B. F1 = F3 > F2
23. C. F1 > F2 = F3
D. F1 > F2 > F3
E. F1 > (F2 + F3)

A coin and a feather are released from rest in vacuum as shown above. Which
of the following is/are correct deductions from this experiment ?
(1996-6)
(1) The masses of the coin and the feather are identical in vacuum.
(2) The coin and the feather fall with the same acceleration in vacuum.
(3) The forces acting on the coin and the feather in vacuum are identical.
A. (1) only
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 7
25. 26. Which of the following pairs of forces is/are action and reaction pair(s)
according to Newton’s third law of motion ? (1997-9)
(1) The weight of a man and The force acting on the
standing on a chair. man by the chair.
(2) The gravitational force and The gravitational force
acting on the earth by the acting on the moon by the
moon. earth.
A block is placed on a smooth inclined plane. A force P parallel to the (3) The force exerted by a and The force exerted by the
inclined plane is applied to the block so that the block moves up the plane. swimmer on the water to water to push the
Which of the following diagrams correctly shows all the forces acting on the push the water backward. swimmer forward.
block ? (1997-3) A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)
27.

Scale : 1 cm represents 1 N
Two forces F1 and F2 act on a particle P as shown above. If a third force F3
acts on P to keep it in equilibrium, find the magnitude of F3. (1998-7)

A. 1.4 N
B. 4.0 N
C. 4.2 N
D. 4.5 N
E. 5.8 N
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 8
28. Which of the following phenomena can be explained by Newton’s first law of 31. A girl in a lift uses a spring balance to measure the weight of an object. The
motion ? (1998-9) reading of the spring balance is 10 N when the lift is at rest. When the lift is
(1) A passenger in a car tends to move forward when the car suddenly moving, the reading of the spring balance becomes 8 N. Which of the
stops. following describes the motion of the lift ? (1998-8)
(2) A coin and a feather fall with the same acceleration in a vacuum.
(3) A gun recoils when it fires a bullet. A. moving upwards with a uniform velocity
A. (1) only B. moving downwards with a uniform velocity
B. (2) only C. moving upwards with an acceleration
C. (1) and (3) only D. moving downwards with an acceleration
D. (2) and (3) only E. moving downwards with a deceleration
E. (1), (2) and (3)
29. A uniform beam of length 3 m and weight 300 N lies on a horizontal ground. 32.
What minimum vertical force must be applied to one end of the beam to just
lift that end off the ground ? (Assume the weight of the beam acts through its
mid-point.) (1998-11)
A. 100 N
B. 150 N A block is sliding down a friction compensated runway as shown
C. 300 N above. Which of the following statements is/are correct
D. 450 N (1999-4)
E. 900 N (1) The speed of the block is increasing.
30. (2) The normal reaction acting by the runway on the block is increasing
(3) The net force acting on the black is zero
A. (1) only
B. (3) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
A broken-down car of mass 1000 kg is pulled by a tow-truck and moves at a E. (1), (2) and (3)
constant velocity 8 m s−1 along a horizontal road. It is known that the
frictional force acting on the car is 500 N. Find the tension in the cable
connecting the truck and the car. (1998-6)
A. 0 N
B. 500 N
C. 8 000 N
D. 8 500 N
E. 10 500 N
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 9
33. 35. An astronaut lands on the moon and finds that his weight is about one-sixth
of that on earth. Which of the following deductions is/are correct ?
(1) If he throws an object upwards on the moon, it will reach a higher
level than throwing the object with the same speed on earth.
(2) If he releases an object on the moon, it will take a shorter time to
reach the ground than releasing the object from the same height on
earth.
(3) The maximum weight he can lift on the moon is greater than on
earth.
(2000-5)
A. (1) only
A light rope is fixed at two poles with the ends A and B at the sane level. A T-
B. (3) only
shirt of weight 2 N is hung, at the midpoint C of the rope. The rope depresses
C. (1) and (2) only
such that ∠ACB = 150°. Find the tension in the rope. (1999-5) D. (2) and (3) only
A. 1.0 N E. (1), (2) and (3)
B. 2.0 N 36. Three forces of magnitudes F1, F2, and 10 N act on an object as shown below.
C. 3.9 N If the object is in equilibrium, find F2. (2000-6)
D. 7.7 N
E. It cannot be determined since the length of the rope is not
given.

34. It is said that Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), an Italian scientist, dropped a

small iron ball and a large cannon ball from the top of the Leaning Tower of
Pisa. He found that the two balls reached the ground at almost the same time.
Which of the following is/are correct deduction(s) from this experiment ?
(1) The two balls fell with the same acceleration.
(2) A body will maintain uniform motion if there is no external force
acting on it.
A. 5.0 N
(3) The gravitational forces acting on the two balls were identical.
B. 8.7 N
(2000-2)
C. 11.5 N
A. (1) only
D. 17.3 N
B. (3) only
E. 20.0 N
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (2) and (3) only
E. (1), (2) and (3)
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 10
37. A block is placed on a rough inclined plane and then projected upwards along 38. A uniform steel ball lies at rest on a horizontal ground and just touches a
the plane. After reaching the highest point, the block slides down along the vertical wall as shown below. Which of the following diagrams shows all the
plane. Which of the following graphs shows the variation of the velocity v of forces acting on the ball ? (2000-8)
the block with time t ? (2000-7)

(Note : W = gravitational force acting on the ball,

R = normal reaction from the ground,
F = friction acting by the ground on the ball,
N = normal reaction from the wall.)
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 11
39. A block is placed on a rough horizontal ground and a horizontal force acts on 40. A coin is placed on a piece of cardboard resting on a glass as shown above. If
the block. If the magnitude of the force, F, is increased gradually, which of the cardboard is flicked off sharply with a finger. the coin will drop into the
the following graphs shows the relation between F and the acceleration a of glass. What does this experiment demonstrate ? (2001-4)
the block ? (2000-9)

A. The coin will fall with uniform acceleration under the action
of gravity.
B. The acceleration of the coin is proportional to the applied
force.
C. Action and reaction always occur in pairs.
D. Momentum is conserved in a collision.
E. The coin has a tendency to maintain its state of rest.

41. A block on a rough horizontal table is acted on by two horizontal forces of

magnitudes 10 N and 2 N as shown. It remains at rest on the table. If the
force of magnitude 10 N is removed, find the resultant force acting on the
block. (2001-5)

A. zero
B. 2N
C. 6N
D. 8N
E. 10 N
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion
42. A student uses a friction-compensated runway to study Newton’s second law
of motion. The variation of the acceleration a of the trolley with the force F 43.
applied parallel to the runway is shown above. If the experiment is repeated
with the runway making a larger angle of inclination with the horizontal,
which of the following graphs (in dotted lines) represents the expected
result ? (2001-7)
Page 12
The figure above shows the variation of the force acting on a car driver with
time when the car hits a wall. The driver is not wearing a sear-belt. Which of
the following graphs (in dotted lines) best shows the force acting on the driver
if he is wearing a seat-belt ? (2001-8)
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 13
44. A man is pulling a suitcase along the horizontal ground as shown below. 46. The following are statements written by three students about Newton’s first
(2001-9) law of motion. (2002-4)
(1) A stationary object will remain in a state of rest unless acted on by
an unbalanced force.
(2) An object undergoing uniform motion will maintain its motion unless
acted on by an unbalanced force.
(3) An unbalanced force is required to maintain the motion of an object
at uniform velocity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
A. (2) only
B. (3) only
Which of the following pairs of forces is/are action and reaction pair(s) C. (1) and (2) only
according to Newton's third law of motion ? D. (1) and (3) only
(1) The gravitational force exerted and The gravitational force exerted
by the earth on the man by the man on the earth 47. A block of mass 0.5 kg slides down a rough inclined plane with an
(2) The pulling force exerted by the and The friction exerted by the acceleration of 3 m s-2. If the plane is inclined at 30° to the horizontal, find
man on the suitcase ground on the suitcase the friction between the block and the plane. (2002-6)
(3) The gravitational force exerted and The normal reaction exerted by
by the earth on the suitcase the ground on the suitcase
A. (1) only
B. (3) only
C. (l) and (2) only
D. (2) and (3) only A. 1N
E. (1), (2) and (3) B. 1.5 N
45. The figure above shows the variation of the resultant force acting on an C. 2.8 N
object with time. What physical quantity does the area of the shaded region D. 4N
represent ? (2002-2)

A. acceleration
B. change of momentum
C. work
D. power
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 14
48. Which of the following objects are under the action of an unbalanced force at 49. John, of mass 80 kg, is standing on a weighing scale in a lift. At a certain
the instant shown in the diagrams ? (2002-5) instant, the reading of the weighing scale is 600 N. Which of the following
(1) a football being kicked by a player statements about John at this instant is/are correct ?
(2002-7)
(1) The gravitational force acting on John is 600 N.
(2) The force exerted by the weighing scale on John is 200 N.
(3) John is accelerating downward at a rate of 2.5 m s-2.
A. (2) only
B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (1) and (3) only
(2) a parachutist failing with uniform velocity 50. A block of mass m slides down an inclined plane with uniform velocity. What
is the net force acting on the block ? (2003-5)

A. mg
B. mg sin θ
(3) a swinging pendulum bob C. mg cos θ
D. zero

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 15
51. The figure shows a ride in an amusement park. A passenger is fastened to a 52. A uniform cube of weight 600 N is held in equilibrium in the air by four
seat which is then raised to the top of a vertical pole. At time t = 0, the seat is identical cables as shown above. If each cable makes an equal angle of 20°
released from rest and falls freely. After 3 s, the scat is brought to rest at a with the vertical, find the tension in each cable. (2003-7)
point P near the ground. Which of the following graphs best shows the
relation between the gravitational force acting on the passenger W and t ?
(2003-6)

A. 150 N
B. 160 N
C. 412 N
D. 439 N
53. A car accelerates at 3 m s-2 along a straight horizontal road. A child of mass
10 kg is sitting on a safety scat inside the car. Find the magnitude of the
resultant force exerted by the safety seat on the child. (2003-8)

A. 30 N
B. 100 N
C. 104 N
D. 130 N
Physics-MC/Inertia, Force and Motion Page 16
54. An object weighs 60 N on the Earth and 10 N on the moon. Which of the A. (1) and (2) only
following statements are correct ? (2004-2) B. (1) and (3) only
(1) The mass of the object on the Earth is 6 kg. C. (2) and (3) only
(2) The mass of the object on the moon is 1 kg. D. (1), (2) and (3)
(3) The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is one-sixth that on the
Earth. 57. A block is initially at rest on a smooth horizontal table and is pulled by a
A. (1) and (2) only constant horizontal force. The figure shows the relationship between the
B. (1) and (3) only physical quantities y and x. Which of the following combinations of y and x is
C. (2) and (3) only impossible ? (2004-7)
D. (1), (2) and (3)

55. An object is acted on by three forces F1, F2 and F3 in suitable directions such
that it remains at rest. Which of the following combinations of the magnitude
of the forces is/are possible ? (2004-4)
F1 F2 F3
(1) 3N 4N 5N y x
(2) 3N 4N 7N A. displacement of the block square of time
(3) 3N 5N 9N B. velocity of the block time
A. (2) only C. square of velocity of the block displacement of the block
B. (3) only D. acceleration of the block time
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (1) and (3) only 58.

56. Two blocks, of masses m1 and m2 (m1> m2) are connected by a light
inextensible string and placed on a smooth horizontal surface. Let T1 and T2
be the tensions in the string when a horizontal force of magnitude F i s
applied to the blocks as shown in Figures (a) and (b) respectively. Which of
the following relationships are correct ? (2004-5)

The photograph shows a sucker sticking a hook to a vertical wall. Which of

(1) T 1 > T2
the following forces balances the gravitational force acting on the sucker and
T1 T2 hook by the Earth ? (2004-8)
(2) =
m1 m2 A. the friction between the sucker and the wall
(3) T1+T2=F B. the force exerted by the air molecules on the sucker
C. the normal reaction exerted by the wall on the sucker
D. the gravitational force acting on the Earth by the sucker and
hook