Turning effects of forces
4.1What the syllabus asks of you
- understand that the weight of an object may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity
- define and apply the moment of a force
- understand that a couple is a pair of forces that acts to produce rotation only
- define and apply the torque of a couple
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Turning effects of forces
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Every question on Turning effects of forces, untimed, marked as you go.
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83 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AFx
B2Fx
CFy
D2Fy
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
Athe magnitude of one force | the perpendicular distance between the two forces
Bthe sum of the magnitudes of both forces | the perpendicular distance between the two forces
Cthe magnitude of one force | the perpendicular distance from one force to the mid-point between the forces
Dthe resultant of the two forces | the perpendicular distance from one force to the mid-point between the forces
Mark scheme
3May / June 2026 · Paper 14 · Q14Show mark scheme →
A14 N and 14 N separated by 0.20 m
B8.0 N and 8.0 N separated by 0.40 m at 30°
C5.0 N and 9.0 N separated by 0.20 m
D8.0 N and 8.0 N separated by 0.20 m at 30°
Mark scheme
4Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A9.0 N
B11 N
C18 N
D21 N
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q14Show mark scheme →
A0
BF × d
C2F × d
D2F × 2d
Mark scheme
6Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A: rod with upward force F at left end and downward force F at right end
BDiagram B: rod with upward force F at left end and upward force F at right end
CDiagram C: rod with force F at left end directed up-left and downward force F at right end
DDiagram D: rod with upward force F at left end only
Mark scheme
7Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A9.0 N
B11 N
C18 N
D21 N
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q14Show mark scheme →
A0
BF × d
C2F × d
D2F × 2d
Mark scheme
9Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 14 · Q14Show mark scheme →
A\frac{Fd}{2}
BFd
C2Fd
D4Fd
Mark scheme
10May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Aopposite, different
Bopposite, equal
Csame, different
Dsame, equal
Mark scheme
11May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q15Show mark scheme →
A2.6 N m
B4.0 N m
C5.2 N m
D9.8 N m
Mark scheme
12May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q17Show mark scheme →
A1/2 × perpendicular distance between the forces × magnitude of one of the forces
Bperpendicular distance between the forces × magnitude of one of the forces
Cperpendicular distance between the forces × magnitude of the sum of the forces
D2 × perpendicular distance between the forces × magnitude of one of the forces
Mark scheme
13May / June 2025 · Paper 14 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AIt acts to produce both translational motion and rotation.
BIt acts to produce rotation only.
CIt acts to produce translational motion only.
DIt acts to produce neither rotation nor translational motion.
Mark scheme
14Feb / March 2025 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AThe weight of the plank can be considered to be acting at its midpoint.
BThe weight of the plank is causing an anticlockwise moment.
CThe weight of the plank is causing a clockwise moment.
DThe weight of the plank equals the force on the plank from the pivot.
Mark scheme
15Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q17Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
16Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A6.9 m
B12 m
C14 m
D24 m
Mark scheme
17Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AA couple is a pair of forces that act in the same direction.
BA couple is a pair of forces that act on the centre of gravity of an object.
CA couple is a pair of forces that act to produce a resultant force.
DA couple is a pair of forces that act to produce rotation only.
Mark scheme
18May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q15Show mark scheme →
A1.1F
B1.3F
C1.9F
D2.2F
Mark scheme
19May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A6 N and 6 N
B6 N and 6 N
C6 N and 12 N
D6 N and 12 N
Mark scheme
20May / June 2024 · Paper 13 · Q10Show mark scheme →
A0 N m
B0.23 N m
C0.45 N m
D0.90 N m
Mark scheme
21Feb / March 2024 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: M constant at a positive value for all θ from 0° to 180°
BGraph B: M starts at a positive maximum, decreases to zero at 90°, then increases back to the same maximum at 180°
CGraph C: M starts at a positive maximum and decreases linearly, crossing zero at 90° and becoming negative at 180°
DGraph D: M starts at a positive maximum, decreases to zero at 90°, then becomes negative at 180°
Mark scheme
22Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A2.5 N
B5.0 N
C250 N
D500 N
Mark scheme
23Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A\frac{Fd}{\sqrt{2}}
BFd
CFd\sqrt{2}
D2Fd
Mark scheme
24Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A\frac{Fd}{2}
B\frac{F}{d}
CFd
D2Fd
Mark scheme
25Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A72 N m
B130 N m
C350 N m
D380 N m
Mark scheme
26May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A1.3 N m
B2.5 N m
C2.7 N m
D5.4 N m
Mark scheme
27May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Ausing a longer rod and moving the pivot closer to the tank
Busing a longer rod and moving the pivot further away from the tank
Cusing a shorter rod and moving the pivot closer to the tank
Dusing a shorter rod and moving the pivot further away from the tank
Mark scheme
28May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AF × distance OX
BF × distance OY
CF × distance WO
DF × distance WX
Mark scheme
29May / June 2023 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AThe two forces act in opposite directions.
BThe two forces act through the same point.
CThe two forces combine to produce zero resultant force.
DThe two forces have equal magnitude.
Mark scheme
30Feb / March 2023 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Atorque 92 N m, resultant force 0 N
Btorque 92 N m, resultant force 80 N
Ctorque 180 N m, resultant force 0 N
Dtorque 180 N m, resultant force 80 N
Mark scheme
31Feb / March 2023 · Paper 12 · Q15Show mark scheme →
Athe geometrical centre of the object
Bthe point at which the weight of the object may be considered to act
Cthe point on the object about which there is a zero net torque
Dthe point where gravity acts on the object
Mark scheme
32Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A0
Bx/√2
Cx
Dx√2
Mark scheme
33Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AThey act in opposite directions.
BThey act along different lines.
CThey have the same magnitude.
DThey produce a resultant force.
Mark scheme
34Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
35May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A4 × 10² N m
B5 × 10² N m
C4 × 10³ N m
D5 × 10³ N m
Mark scheme
36May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AThey are in the same direction.
BThey are perpendicular to each other.
CThey have the same magnitude.
DThey pass through the same point.
Mark scheme
37May / June 2022 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AThey act in the same direction.
BThey act through the same point.
CThey produce zero resultant force.
DThey produce zero resultant moment.
Mark scheme
38Feb / March 2022 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A1.5 N m
B4.4 N m
C6.5 N m
D9.4 N m
Mark scheme
39Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A3.0 N m
B5.2 N m
C6.9 N m
D12 N m
Mark scheme
40Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Azero
B1/2 Fs
CFs
D2Fs
Mark scheme
41Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A0.63 N m
B1.2 N m
C6.1 N m
D7.4 N m
Mark scheme
42Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AThey act along the same straight line.
BThey act in opposite directions.
CThey are the same type of force.
DThey have the same magnitude.
Mark scheme
43Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A39 N m
B78 N m
C83 N m
D92 N m
Mark scheme
44May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A30 N and 30 N separated by 2.0 m
B40 N and 10 N separated by 1.0 m
C25 N and 5 N separated by 1.0 m
D15 N and 15 N separated by 2.0 m
Mark scheme
45May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A9.2 N
B11 N
C16 N
D24 N
Mark scheme
46May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A\frac{1}{2}Fr
BFr
C2Fr
D4Fr
Mark scheme
47May / June 2021 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aa pair of equal forces acting in the same direction but along different lines
Ba pair of forces that are equal and opposite but acting along different lines
Ca pair of forces that produce no resultant force and no resultant moment
Da pair of unequal forces acting in opposite directions but along the same line
Mark scheme
48May / June 2021 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
Mark scheme
49May / June 2021 · Paper 13 · Q14Show mark scheme →
AWa/2 clockwise
BWb/2 anticlockwise
CWa clockwise
DWb anticlockwise
Mark scheme
50Feb / March 2021 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
51Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A(d1 × F1 cos θ1) + (d2 × F2 cos θ2)
B(d1 × F1 sin θ1) + (d2 × F2 sin θ2)
C(d1 × F1 cos θ1) – (d2 × F2 cos θ2)
D(d1 × F1 sin θ1) – (d2 × F2 sin θ2)
Mark scheme
52Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
53Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A9.0 N right at top, 9.0 N left at bottom, 50 cm
B45 N right at top, 45 N left at bottom, 20 cm
C45 N left at top, 45 N right at bottom, 10 cm
D9.0 N left at top, 9.0 N right at bottom, 100 cm
Mark scheme
54May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aa pair of forces of equal magnitude acting in opposite directions which produce rotational motion but not translational motion
Ba pair of forces of equal magnitude acting in opposite directions which produce translational motion but not rotational motion
Ca pair of forces of equal magnitude acting in the same direction which produce rotational motion but not translational motion
Da pair of forces of equal magnitude acting in the same direction which produce translational motion but not rotational motion
Mark scheme
55May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A7.2 N m
B9.6 N m
C12 N m
D1200 N m
Mark scheme
56May / June 2020 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AFa
BFb
C2Fa
D2Fb
Mark scheme
57Feb / March 2020 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aresultant force 0 N, resultant moment 10 N m
Bresultant force 0 N, resultant moment 20 N m
Cresultant force 20 N, resultant moment 10 N m
Dresultant force 20 N, resultant moment 20 N m
Mark scheme
58Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
59Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A40 N m clockwise
B40 N m anticlockwise
C80 N m clockwise
D80 N m anticlockwise
Mark scheme
60Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AX is equivalent to a clockwise torque of 10 N m and a force of 20 N to the left.
BX is equivalent to a clockwise torque of 20 N m only.
CY is equivalent to an anticlockwise torque of 30 N m and a force of 20 N to the left.
DY is equivalent to an anticlockwise torque of 30 N m only.
Mark scheme
61May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A\dfrac{Fd}{2}
BFd
C2Fd
D4Fd
Mark scheme
62May / June 2019 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A0.75 N m
B1.50 N m
C3.00 N m
D5.25 N m
Mark scheme
63Feb / March 2019 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A5.44 N m
B272 N m
C544 N m
D1090 N m
Mark scheme
64Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
ATwo forces F applied tangentially at opposite edges, producing a couple.
BTwo forces F applied tangentially at adjacent edges.
CTwo forces 2F applied tangentially at opposite edges, producing a couple.
DTwo forces 2F applied tangentially at adjacent edges.
Mark scheme
65May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
A1.5 N m
B4.4 N m
C6.5 N m
D9.4 N m
Mark scheme
66May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
Mark scheme
67May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
A0
BF × d
C2F × d
D2F × 2d
Mark scheme
68May / June 2018 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
69Feb / March 2018 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Aresultant force: non-zero; resultant torque: non-zero
Bresultant force: non-zero; resultant torque: zero
Cresultant force: zero; resultant torque: non-zero
Dresultant force: zero; resultant torque: zero
Mark scheme
70Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
71Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AWL/4 anticlockwise
BWL/4 clockwise
CWL/2 anticlockwise
DWL/2 clockwise
Mark scheme
72Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AFa
BFb
C2Fa
D2Fb
Mark scheme
73May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
74May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q2Show mark scheme →
A5 N
B5 N
C5 N
D5 N
Mark scheme
75May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A4.7 N m
B8.6 N m
C9.3 N m
D17.1 N m
Mark scheme
76May / June 2017 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A0.010 N m
B0.10 N m
C0.29 N m
D2.8 N m
Mark scheme
77Feb / March 2017 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
A0.0 N m
B1.4 N m
C1.6 N m
D1.8 N m
Mark scheme
78Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q15Show mark scheme →
A2.5 N
B5.0 N
C250 N
D500 N
Mark scheme
79Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q17Show mark scheme →
A45 N m
B90 N m
C120 N m
D190 N m
Mark scheme
80May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
81May / June 2016 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Athe geometrical centre of the object
Bthe point at which the weight of the object may be considered to act
Cthe point on the object about which there is a zero net torque
Dthe point where gravity acts on the object
Mark scheme
82May / June 2016 · Paper 13 · Q14Show mark scheme →
A7.2 N m
B9.6 N m
C12 N m
D1200 N m
Mark scheme
83Feb / March 2016 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AFx
BFy
C2Fx
D2Fy
Mark scheme