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Forces - Resultant Forces 01

Resultant forces decide how objects start, stop or change direction. In this GCSE Physics quiz you will practise adding forces together and predicting the motion that follows.

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Fascinating Fact:

Resultant forces can act in two dimensions, so force diagrams may use arrows and scale drawings to find the overall effect.

In GCSE Physics, you learn how multiple forces combine to give a single resultant force. This resultant force determines whether an object speeds up, slows down, changes direction, or stays in steady motion.

Key Terms

Resultant force: The single force that has the same effect as all the forces acting on an object combined.
Free-body diagram: A sketch showing an object with arrows representing all the forces acting on it.
Equilibrium: A situation where the resultant force is zero, so the object is either stationary or moving at constant velocity.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a resultant force in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, a resultant force is the overall force acting on an object after all individual forces are combined. It is the single force that could replace them all.

How do you calculate a resultant force from a diagram?

For forces in the same line, you add those acting in the same direction and subtract those in the opposite direction. For angled forces, you use scale drawings or vector methods.

What happens when the resultant force on an object is zero?

When the resultant force is zero, the object is in equilibrium. It will remain at rest if it was already still, or continue moving at constant velocity if it was already in motion.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

The overall effect of the forces acting on an object will NOT ...

cause it to accelerate

cause it to decelerate

cause it to remain stationary

cause its watch to change

Easy start, making sure that you understand the effect that forces have on objects

2 .

What is a resultant force?

A single force which has the same effect on motion as a number of forces acting at a point

When no forces are acting on a variety of points

A single force which has the same effect on motion as a number of forces acting at a number of different points

49 forces acting on 79 points

Forces are vector quantities and you need to take into account both their magnitude and direction

3 .

What could the effect of a resultant force be?

Cause a change in state of rest or motion

Resultant forces do not have any effect on anything

Resultant forces only affect waves

Resultant forces do not exist

If a resultant force is zero, the state of rest or motion will remain unchanged

4 .

If an object is stationary and the resultant force acting upon it is zero, what will happen to the object?

It will accelerate at 1 m/s²

It will accelerate at 2 m/s²

It will accelerate at 3 m/s²

It will accelerate at 0 m/s²

In other words, it remains at rest

5 .

If an object is stationary and the resultant force acting upon it is non-zero, what will happen to the object?

It will remain stationary

It will move towards the direction of the resultant force

It will move in the direction of the resultant force

It will explode

Whilst the resultant force is non-zero, not only will the object move, it will be accelerating

6 .

If an object is moving west at a speed of 3 m/s and the resultant force acting upon it is zero, what will happen to the object?

Move east at 3 m/s

Move north at 3 m/s

Continues moving west at 3 m/s

Come to rest

If an object is moving and the resultant force on the object is zero it will continue to travel in its current path at a constant speed

7 .

The driving force exerted by a motorbike is 2000 N. The resultant force acting in a forward direction is 200 N. What is the size of the opposing force (air resistance and friction)?

1800 N

200 N

1900 N

2000 N

Working out the magnitude of resultant forces acting in direct opposition to each other is simply a matter of subtraction

8 .

If a ball is travelling at a speed of 3 m/s west and encounters a force which slows the ball at a rate of 0.25 m/s, how long does the ball take to stop?

3 seconds

6 seconds

9 seconds

12 seconds

Divide the velocity by the deceleration

9 .

A person pushes on a box with a force of 10 N which does not move. Assuming no other forces are present, what is the size of the force the box exerts on the person?

5 N

10 N

15 N

20 N

Testing that you understand Newton's third law and resultant forces in the same question

10 .

Two forces act on a small ball. One force exerts a force of 10 N east, whilst the other force exerts a force of 15 N west. What is the size and direction of the resultant force?

5 N east

5 N west

10 N east

10 N west

East and west indicate that the forces are pushing in directly opposing directions therefore the resultant will be the difference between them, in the direction of the larger one

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Force and Newton's laws

Author: Martin Moore