Physics 5054 · O Level · Balanced and unbalanced forces

Balanced and unbalanced forces — practice question

Force is a vector quantity, whereas mass is a scalar quantity.
(a(i))[1]

State the difference between a vector quantity and a scalar quantity.

(a(ii))[2]

State one more vector quantity and one more scalar quantity.

(b)[4]

An aeroplane moves in a straight line through the air with its engines at full power. The aeroplane's weight is 160 kN. There is also a force of 320 kN acting upwards on the aeroplane at $30^\circ$ to the horizontal. In the space below, use a graphical method to find the magnitude and direction of the resultant of these two forces. Use a scale of $1.0\,\text{cm} : 40\,\text{kN}$.

(c(i))[2]

An aeroplane is moving in a straight line at constant height. The aeroplane accelerates. State the energy change occurring as the aeroplane accelerates.

(c(ii).1)[3]

While the aeroplane accelerates, the pilot keeps the engines at constant power. Eventually the aeroplane reaches a constant speed. Explain why the aeroplane stops accelerating and attains a constant speed.

(c(ii).2)[3]

At constant speed, the pilot turns the aeroplane onto a tight circular path. Explain why the aeroplane is accelerating even though its speed is unchanged.

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