IB Physics - Dynamics

1. A block is at rest on a rough plane inclined at an angle θ relatively to the horizontal.

The angle θ is slowly reduced. Which one of the following correctly describes the changes, if any, in
the frictional force F and the coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane?

Frictional force F Coefficient of static friction

A. decreases increases

B. decreases constant

C. increases increases

D. increases constant
(1)

2. A powered spaceship is moving directly away from a planet as shown below.

p lan et S p acesh ip

At point P the motors of the spaceship are switched off but the spaceship remains under the influence
of the planet. Which one of the following graphs best represents the variation with time t of the
velocity v of the spaceship after it passes point P?

A. v B. v

0 0
0 t 0 t

C. v D. v

0 0
0 t 0 t

(1)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

3. The weight of a mass is measured on Earth using a spring balance and a lever balance, as shown
below.

sp rin g b alan ce lev er b alan ce

What change, if any, would occur in the measurements if they were repeated on the Moon’s surface?

Spring balance Lever balance

A. same same

B. same decrease

C. decrease same

D. decrease decrease
(1)

6. A block is placed on a horizontal rough surface. A horizontal force F is applied to the block, as
shown below.

b lo ck
fo rce F

The force required to keep the block moving at constant speed is less than the force required to make
the block move from rest. The explanation for this observation is that

A. before the block moves, the force F must also produce a turning moment.

B. a force is not required to keep the block moving at constant speed.

C. friction has to be overcome to make the block move.

D. the maximum static friction forces are greater than the maximum dynamic friction forces.
(1)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

7. The diagram below shows a shape cut from a thin sheet of metal of constant thickness. Which point
best shows the position of the centre of gravity of the shape?

A
B

(1)
8. A small electrically charged sphere is suspended vertically from a thread. An oppositely charged rod
is brought close to the sphere such that the sphere is in equilibrium when displaced from the vertical
by an angle of 45°.

+ –

Which one of the following best represents the free body diagram for the sphere?

A. B.

C. D.

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IB Physics - Dynamics

11. A block rests on a rough horizontal plane and a force P is applied to the block as shown.

The normal reaction between the plane and the block is N and the frictional force between the block
and the plane is F. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane is μS and initially
P is zero.

As P is increased in value, which one of the following statements is true concerning the relationship
between F, N and μS?

A. F is always equal to μSN.

B. F is always greater than μSN.

C. F is always less than μSN.

D. F can be equal to μSN.

(1)

12. For a body to be in both translational and rotational equilibrium

A. it must not be in contact with any other objects.

B. the net torque and the net force acting on it must be zero.

C. the net torque acting on it must be zero.

D. the net force acting on it must be zero.

(1)

13. An object is taken from the Earth to the Moon. What change, if any, occurs in its gravitational mass
and in its inertial mass?

Gravitational mass Inertial mass

A. decreases decreases

B. decreases unchanged

C. unchanged decreases

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IB Physics - Dynamics

D. unchanged unchanged

14. For an object to be in translational equilibrium

A. it must be at rest.

B. it must be moving with a constant acceleration.

C. no external force must be acting on it.

D. the net force acting on it must be zero.

(1)

15. The coefficient of dynamic friction between two objects that are in contact depends on

A. the relative speed between the two surfaces.

B. the area of the surfaces in contact.

C. the nature of the two surfaces in contact.

D. the density of material of the two objects.

(1)

16. A bird of weight W lands at the midpoint of a horizontal wire stretched between two poles. The
magnitude of the force exerted by each pole on the wire is F.

F F

The bird will be in equilibrium if

A. 2F > W.

B. 2F = W.

C. 2F < W.

D. F = W.
(1)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

24. A weight is suspended from a spring. The variation with weight of the length of the spring is shown
below.
16
len g th / cm

14

12

10
0 2 4 6 8
w eig h t / N
What is the value of the spring constant (force constant) of the spring?
–1
A. 0.4 N cm
–1
B. 0.5 N cm
–1
C. 2.0 N cm
–1
D. 2.5 N cm

25. Which one of the following objects is in equilibrium?

A. A stone trapped in the tread of a rotating tyre

B An air molecule as a sound wave passes through the air

C. A steel ball falling at constant speed through oil

D. An electron moving through a metal under the action of a potential difference

(1)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

26. A mass is suspended from the roof of a lift (elevator) by means of a spring balance, as illustrated
below.

lift (elev ato r)

m ass

The lift (elevator) is moving upwards and the readings of the spring balance are noted as follows.
Accelerating: Ra

Constant speed: Rc

Slowing down: Rs

Which one of the following is a correct relationship between the readings?

A. Ra > Rc

B. Ra = Rs

C. Rc = Rs

D. Rc < Rs
(1)

30. A block is sliding down a rough slope. The force of sliding friction between the block and the slope
depends on

A. the speed of the block.

B. the surface area of the block.

C. the normal reaction between the block and the slope.

D. the acceleration of the block.

(1)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

(1)

32. A block rests on a flat surface. The normal reaction of the surface on the block is R. A horizontal
force is applied to the block that gradually increases in magnitude from zero.

fo rce

The coefficients of static friction and of dynamic friction between the block and the surface are μs
and μD respectively.

Which one of the following gives the possible values for the static and the dynamic friction forces
between the block and the surface?

Static friction force Dynamic friction force

A. 0  μ SR μ DR
B. 0  μ SR 0  μ DR
C. μ SR μ DR
D. μ SR 0  μ DR
(1)

33. A friction force f is acting on a block of weight w sliding down an incline at a constant speed. The
force N is the normal reaction of the incline on the block. Which of the following free-body diagrams
best represents the forces acting on the block?

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IB Physics - Dynamics

A. N f B. N f

w
w

C. f D. N
N

w
w
(1)

36. This question is about the kinematics of an elevator (lift).

(a) Explain the difference between the gravitational mass and the inertial mass of an object.
(3)

An elevator (lift) starts from rest on the ground floor and comes to rest at a higher floor. Its motion is
controlled by an electric motor. A simplified graph of the variation of the elevator’s velocity with
time is shown below.

v elo city / m s – 1
0 .8 0
0 .7 0
0 .6 0
0 .5 0
0 .4 0
0 .3 0
0 .2 0
0 .1 0
0 .0 0
0 .0 1 .0 2 .0 3 .0 4 .0 5 .0 6 .0 7 .0 8 .0 9 .0 1 0 .0 11 .0 1 2 .0
tim e / s
(b) The mass of the elevator is 250 kg. Use this information to calculate

(i) the acceleration of the elevator during the first 0.50 s.

(2)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

(ii) the total distance travelled by the elevator.

(2)

(iii) the minimum work required to raise the elevator to the higher floor.
(2)

(iv) the minimum average power required to raise the elevator to the higher floor.
(2)

(v) the efficiency of the electric motor that lifts the elevator, given that the input power to
the motor is 5.0 kW.
(2)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

(c) On the graph axes below, sketch a realistic variation of velocity for the elevator. Explain your
reasoning. (The simplified version is shown as a dotted line)

v elo city / m s – 1
0 .8 0
0 .7 0
0 .6 0
0 .5 0
0 .4 0
0 .3 0
0 .2 0
0 .1 0
0 .0 0
0 .0 1 .0 2 .0 3 .0 4 .0 5 .0 6 .0 7 .0 8 .0 9 .0 1 0 .0 11 .0 1 2 .0
tim e / s
(2)
ten sio n

The elevator is supported by a cable. The diagram below is a free-body force diagram
for when the elevator is moving upwards during the first 0.50 s.

(d) In the space below, draw free-body force diagrams for the elevator during the
following time intervals. w eig h t

(i) 0.5 to 11.50 s (ii) 11.50 to 12.00 s

(3)

A person is standing on weighing scales in the elevator. Before the elevator rises, the reading on the
scales is W.
(e) On the axes below, sketch a graph to show how the reading on the scales varies during the
whole 12.00 s upward journey of the elevator. (Note that this is a sketch graph – you do not
need to add any values.)

read in g o n scales

0 .0 0
0 .0 1 .0 2 .0 3 .0 4 .0 5 .0 6 .0 7 .0 8 .0 9 .0 1 0 .0 11 .0 1 2 .0
tim e / s
(3)

(f) The elevator now returns to the ground floor where it comes to rest. Describe and explain the
energy changes that take place during the whole up and down journey. (4)
(Total 25 marks)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

39. This question is about a wooden block sliding down a rough inclined plane (slope).

The diagram below shows a wooden block sliding down a rough plane. In the position shown the
block is accelerating.

B lo ck

60°
(a) Draw a free-body diagram representing the forces acting on the block.

(4)

The plane makes an angle of 60° with the horizontal, the weight of the block is 5.0 N and the
coefficient of kinetic (dynamic) friction between the block and the plane is 0.30.

(b) (i) Determine the magnitude of the frictional force acting on the block.
(2)

(ii) Determine the acceleration of the block down the plane.

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

43. This question is about frictional forces.

A block of mass 5.0 kg rests on a rough horizontal table as shown in the diagram below. A force F is
applied to the block. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the table is 0.60 and the
coefficient of sliding friction is 0.50.

(a) Explain why the block will not move unless F is greater than 30 N.

(3)

(b) Calculate the acceleration of the block when the pulling force F is equal to 70 N.
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IB Physics - Dynamics

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

45. This question is about equilibrium.

Explain whether each of the following is in equilibrium.

(a) A satellite in orbit at constant speed round the Earth.

(2)

(b) A small weight suspended on a string and blown to one side by a wind so that the string makes
a constant angle with the vertical, as shown below.

W in d

(Total 4 marks)

48. This question is about friction.

(a) Define what is meant by coefficient of friction.

(1)
The diagram below shows a particular ride at a funfair (sometimes called “the fly”) that involves a spinning
circular room. When it is spinning fast enough a person in the room feels “stuck” to the wall. The
floor is lowered and they remain held in place on the wall. Friction prevents the person from falling.

G en eral v iew :

R ad iu s = 6 .0 m

(b) (i) Explain whether the friction acting on the person is static, dynamic or a combination of
both.
(2)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

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IB Physics - Dynamics

The diagram below shows a cross-section of the ride when the floor has been lowered.

flo o r

(ii) On the diagram above, draw labelled arrows to represent the forces acting on the person.
(3)

(c) Using the data given below,

mass of person = 80 kg
coefficient of friction between the person and the wall = 0.40
radius of circular room = 6.0 m

calculate each of the following.

(i) The magnitude of the minimum resultant horizontal force on the person.

(2)

(ii) The minimum speed of the wall for a person to be “stuck” to it.
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

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IB Physics - Dynamics

1. B 14. D

2. C+D 15. C

3. C 16. A

6. D 24. C

7. C 25. C

8. D 26. A

11. D 30. C

12. B 32. A

13. D 33. B

34. B

36. (a) statement that gravitational mass and inertial mass have the same numerical value;
understanding of what gravitational mass means;
e.g. “a quantity that determines the gravitational force on the object”
understanding of what inertial mass means;
e.g. “a quantity that determines the acceleration of the object” 3 max

(b) (i) the acceleration = gradient of first section of graph;

–2
acceleration = 0.80 / 0.50 = 1.6 m s ; 2 max
Accept bald correct answer for full marks.

(ii) the total distance travelled by the lift = area under graph;
distance = (11 × 0.80) + (0.50 × 0.80) = 8.8 + 0.4 = 9.2 m; 2 max
Accept bald correct answer for full marks.

(iii)the work done = P.E. gained (= force × distance);

work done = 2500 × 9.2 = 23000 J = 23 kJ; 2 max
Accept bald correct answer for full marks.
(iv) correct substitution into power = work done / time taken
= 23000 / 12;
= 1916 W
= 1.9 kW; 2 max

(v) correct substitution into efficiency = power out / power in

= 1.9 / 5.0;
= 0.38 = 38 %; 2 max

(c) graphs should show curving or “shoulders” at the changes;

since acceleration must be finite / speed cannot change instantaneously /
OWTTE; 2 max

(d) Mark part (i) and (ii) together.

weight arrow the same in both diagrams;
magnitude of tension (size of arrow) equal to weight in (i);
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IB Physics - Dynamics

magnitude of tension (size of arrow) less than weight in (ii);

(i) 0.50 to 11.50 s (ii) 11.50 to 12.00 s

ten sio n
ten sio n

w eig h t w eig h t

3 max
39. (a)
N o rm al reactio n

F rictio n

W eig h t

Award [1] for each correctly labelled force up to [3 max].

appropriate relative lengths; 4 max

(b) (i) R = Mg cos 60 = 2.5 N;

Ff = µR = 0.75 N; 2 max

(ii) net force = Mg sin 60 – 0.75 = 3.6 N;

F 3.6
 –2
acceleration = m 0.5 =7.2 m s ; 2 max

43. (a) block will not move unless F exceeds the maximum possible
frictional force;
maximum possible frictional force = µsN;
since N = mg = 50 N, maximum frictional force is 0.60 × 50 = 30 N; 3
–2
Allow use of g = 9.81 m s in which case N = 29.4 N.

(b) net force = F – f;

net force = 70 – 0.50 × 50 = 45 N;

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IB Physics - Dynamics

45 N
So acceleration = 5 kg = 9.0 m s ;
–2
3
–2
Allow use of g = 9.81 m s in which case Net force = 45.5 N and a
–2
= 9.1 m s .

45. (a) satellite is accelerating / resultant force towards (centre of) Earth;
hence not in equilibrium; 2

(b) sum of forces (in any direction) is zero / OWTTE;

hence in equilibrium; 2

48. (a) ratio between (maximum) friction and normal reaction / OWTTE; 1
Don’t accept equation without definitions of symbols.
(b) (i) static; (Award this mark for bald statement even if the reason is wrong.)
since person is not moving vertically / OWTTE; 2

(ii) Award [1] for each force labelled to show understanding. 3 max

frictio n

(n o rm al) reactio n

flo o r

w eig h t
Use benefit of the doubt and accept things like mg or W for weight
etc. Note: “centripetal force” is not a correct label for the reaction
force. Award [2 max] for correct forces with no labels.

(c) (i) friction, F = mg = 800 N;

F 800
R =  or R = 0.4 = 2000 N; 2

mv 2
(ii) attempted use of r = answer to (c) (i) i.e. 2000;
mv 2
Award [0] for r = 800 or equivalent. Note: Watch for ECF.
mv 2
Recall of F = r not sufficient without link to (c) (i).

2000 6.0
v2 = 80 = 150
–1
to give correct answer: v =12.247  12 m s ; 2
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IB Physics - Dynamics

–1
Accept calculation of angular velocity = 2.0 radians s .
[10]

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