Grade 11

PHYSICAL SCIENCES - CONTROL TEST

Time: 90 minutes Marks: 100

QUESTION 1

There are four possible options for each answer in the following questions. Each question has
only ONE correct answer. Choose the correct answer and write only A, B, C or D next to the
question number.

1.1 You apply a constant resultant force to a body that can move freely. Which of the
following quantities remains constant?

A the body’s acceleration

B the body’s velocity
C the body’s speed
D the body’s momentum

(2)

1.2 You can replace two forces, P and Q, with a single force of 7 N. If the magnitude of
force P is 3 N, which one of the following can be the magnitude of force Q?

A 2N
B 3N
C 8N
D 13 N

(2)

1.3 An object has a mass m on the surface of the Earth. A rocket transports the object to a
planet that has a mass 8 times that of the Earth and a radius twice that of the Earth.
Which of the following is the mass of the object on the planet?

A 8m
B 4m
C 2m
D m

(2)

[6]
QUESTION 2

Give one word or term for each of the following descriptions. Write only the word or term next to
the question number.

2.1 The force experienced by an object on or near the surface of the Earth

(1)

2.2 A resultant force that acts on an object causes the object to undergo …

(1)

2.3 The state of the forces acting on an object where there is no change in its motion

(1)

[3]

QUESTION 3

You pull a block along a rough horizontal table with a force of 14 N and a constant velocity.
When you increase the pulling force to 31 N, the block accelerates at 8,5 ms–2.

Calculate the following.

3.1 the frictional force between the block and the table

(2)

3.2 the mass of the block

(4)

3.3 the coefficient of kinetic friction, k, between the block and the table

(4)

[10]

2
QUESTION 4

A truck with a mass of 1 500 kg tows a car with a mass of 1 000 kg across a rough road surface,
as shown in the following diagram. The force of friction between the four wheels of the truck and
the road is 150 N. The force of friction between the four wheels of the car and the road is 100 N.

For the purpose of calculations, ignore the mass of the tow rope between the car and the truck.

4.1 Calculate the magnitude of the force, P, needed to give the truck and the car together
an acceleration of 1,6 ms–2.

(5)

4.2 Draw a labelled force diagram of the truck. Show all the forces that act on the truck.

(5)

4.3 Calculate the tension in the tow rope.

(6)

4.4 Explain how the acceleration of the truck and the car together changes if you take the
mass of the tow rope into account.

(3)

[19]

QUESTION 5

The following diagram shows two trolleys travelling in their respective directions under
frictionless conditions. The 3 kg trolley moves at a velocity of 2 ms–1. The 2 kg trolley moves at a
velocity of 0,5 ms–1. The two trolleys collide and then continue to move as one unit (in other
words, the trolleys are joined).

3 kg

5.1 Name and state the law used to calculate the combined velocity of the trolleys after they
have collided.

(4)

3
5.2 Calculate the velocity of the trolleys joined together after the collision.

(7)

[11]

4
QUESTION 6

6.1 Two objects, A and B, with masses of 45 kg and 65 kg respectively, move towards each
other. Object A moves at a velocity of 10 ms–1 east, while Object B moves at a velocity
of 6 ms–1 west. They collide and stick together after the collision.

Calculate the velocity of the objects immediately after the collision.

(7)

A golf club exerts an average force of 3 kN on a golf ball of mass 46 g. The club is in contact
with the ball for 5,0  10–4 s.

6.2 Calculate the magnitude of the change in momentum of the ball.

(4)

6.3 Calculate the speed of the ball as it leaves the club.

(4)

[15]

QUESTION 7

You tie two blocks together by a short length of very light string that does not stretch. The two
blocks have masses of 4 kg and 6 kg, as shown in the following diagram. A force of 84 N pulls
the 6 kg block to the right at an angle of 20º to the horizontal. There is a constant frictional force
of 12 N that acts between the surface and each of the two blocks. 84 N

7.1 Draw a labelled force diagram for each block.

(6)

7.2 State Newton’s second law of motion in words.

(3)

7.3 Apply Newton’s second law of motion to calculate the acceleration of the system.

(6)

5
7.4 Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction, μk, between the surface and the 6 kg block.

(4)

[19]

6
QUESTION 8

An object of mass m rests on the surface of a planet of mass M.

8.1 Write an equation for the weight of the object in terms of m and g, where g is the
acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the planet.

(1)

8.2 Write the equation for the weight of the object in terms of M and R, where R is the
radius of the planet.

(2)

8.3 Combine the two equations in questions 8.1 and 8.2 to show that g does not depend on
m but only on M and R.

(4)

[7]

[TOTAL: 90 marks]