Moments: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.4.1.2 Moments, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 97 questions on Moments, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q24 (1 mark): A uniform wooden rod of mass 0.55 kg and length 1.3 m is attached to a wall by a light frictionless hinge. A horizontal force F acts so that the rod hangs at an
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): State the principle of moments. [2 marks]
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (3 marks): Figure 4 shows a trolley at rest on a horizontal surface. A load is fixed to the base of the trolley. Figure 4 Assume that the forces in Figure 4 are coplanar.
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q04.3 (1 mark): When the back wheels are on the step, the moment of W about the centre of the back wheels is less than that in Figure 4. Explain why. [1 mark]
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (3 marks): Deduce how the magnitude of R1 in Figure 5 compares with the value of 97 N in Figure 4. [3 marks]
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.2 (2 marks): Describe how to use a metre ruler and a set square to check that line P is horizontal. You may annotate Figure 4. [2 marks]
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.3 (2 marks): Plot, on Figure 5, the data in Table 3. Go on to draw a line to show how m1 varies with x. [2 marks]
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): Determine an accurate value for the mass of the beam. [2 marks] mass of the beam = g
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.5 (2 marks): Deduce a value for e using your completed Figure 5. c = 900 mm [2 marks] e = mm
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.6 (1 mark): Explain how the second student’s graph of the variation of m1 with x is different from the graph in Figure 5. [1 mark]
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.7 (2 marks): The second student wrongly assumes that when their m1 = m2, 2e is given by: 2e = c – x The second student goes on to determine their value of e. State and expla
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): A uniform disc of weight 50 N is suspended by the tension T in a thread. Two horizontal forces P and Q form a couple, where P and Q are both 25 N. P, Q and T ar
June 2024, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The weight of a uniform bar is W. An object also of weight W is attached to one end. The bar is pivoted at the other end and held horizontal by a rope attached
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (1 mark): Explain why PH has no moment about the centre of the trailer’s wheel in Figure 11. [1 mark]
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q04.5 (3 marks): When the car and trailer travel with velocity v2, PV is zero. Determine v2. [3 marks] v2 = m s−1
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): Three non-parallel coplanar forces act on a body. Which is not required for the forces to be in equilibrium? [1 mark] A The sum of the forces in any direction m
June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.4 (5 marks): The right-hand steel wire is removed and replaced with an aluminium wire of diameter 1.60 mm. The unloaded length of the aluminium wire is the same as that of t
June 2023, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): A heavy uniform trapdoor is hinged to the floor. It is held open by a rope as shown. Which arrow shows the direction of the reaction force of the hinge on the t
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q03.1 (2 marks): Explain why the spoon in Figure 10 is balanced when the pivot is at Q. [2 marks]
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q03.2 (2 marks): The empty spoon has mass m. Show that, for the arrangement in Figure 10, ( ) 12.0 m x M x = − [2 marks]
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q03.3 (3 marks): Figure 11 shows how x varies with M. Figure 11 Determine, using Figure 11, the weight of the empty spoon. [3 marks] weight = N
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q03.4 (3 marks): A scale, in grams, is marked on the spoon between P and the bowl. Figure 11 is used to calibrate this scale in intervals of 25 g. M can be measured by balancing
June 2022, Paper 1, Q03.4 (2 marks): Figure 5 shows a plan view with the gate open. The horizontal cable C passes over pulley R and is attached to the door at D. The angle between the door and the
June 2022, Paper 1, Q03.5 (4 marks): The same system is attached to an identical gate with stiffer hinges. Now the system does not supply a sufficiently large moment to close the gate. Discuss two
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q06.1 (3 marks): The worker moves to a position where the tension in the left-hand cable P is 1150 N. Calculate d for this position. [3 marks] d = m
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q06.2 (2 marks): Determine d for position X. [2 marks] d = m
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): A uniform beam of weight 23.5 N is attached by a hinge to a vertical wall and supported by a string. The string makes an angle of 35° to the wall. What is the t
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): Which description of a couple and its unit is correct? [1 mark] Description Unit A consists of two equal parallel forces N m−1 B produces translational motion N
November 2021, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): A uniform plank weighs 1200 N and rests on two pillars P and Q. P and Q are 1.80 m apart. P is 0.20 m from one end of the plank. Q is 1.40 m from the other end
November 2021, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): A uniform piece of card in the shape of the letter L is suspended freely from a horizontal pin. A plumb line is also suspended from the pin. The diagram shows t
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (3 marks): The athlete now moves the pole to a horizontal position. The pole is held stationary in this position. The athlete’s right hand applies a force S vertically dow
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): P and R are uniform spheres of mass 3 kg and 4 kg respectively. P and R are joined by a rod of negligible mass. The distance between their centres is L. The cen
November 2020, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): The diagram shows the forces acting on a uniform rod. Which statement is correct? [1 mark] A The rod is in equilibrium. B For equilibrium, an anticlockwise mome
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): Each diagram shows two horizontal forces acting on a solid square object seen from above. All the forces have the same magnitude. A B C D Which system produces
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): A uniform metre ruler of weight 2.0 N is freely pivoted at the 70 cm mark. A student holds the ruler in a horizontal position and suspends a 5.0 N weight from t
June 2019, Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): The catapult is designed so that the weight of the beam and the weight of the empty wooden box have no effect on the tension in the rope. Suggest how the pivot
June 2019, Paper 1, Q04.2 (5 marks): The stones in the counterweight have a total mass of 610 kg and the projectile weighs 250 N. Calculate the tension in the rope. [5 marks] tension = N
June 2019, Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): Which statement about a couple is not true? [1 mark] A It must consist of coplanar forces. B It can produce rotational motion. C It can produce translational mo
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q05.1 (1 mark): The ruler is uniform and weighs 1.12 N. Determine the reading on A. [1 mark] reading = N
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): The student suggests that the forces exerted on the ruler by A and B act as a couple. Discuss whether his suggestion is correct. [2 marks]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q05.3 (4 marks): The student hangs a mass of weight W on the ruler between A and B, as shown in Figure 9. He adjusts the supports so that A and B are again vertical and the rule
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q05.4 (2 marks): A second student sets up the same apparatus as shown in Figure 9. She suspends the mass in the same position on the ruler as in question 05.3. She moves the sup
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): A uniform rod is balanced horizontally about a support F. Forces of 400 N and 100 N act at the ends of the rod, as shown. What is the reaction force acting on t
June 2018, Paper 1, Q05.3 (3 marks): Discuss the consequences for the forces acting on the pole when one acrobat has a much greater mass than the other. [3 marks]
June 2018, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): A non-uniform sign is 0.80 m long and has a weight of 18 N It is suspended from two vertical springs P and Q. The springs obey Hooke’s law and the spring consta
June 2018, Paper 3A, Q01.1 (3 marks): Deduce the mass of the ruler. State one assumption you make. [3 marks] mass of ruler = g assumption
June 2018, Paper 3A, Q01.4 (3 marks): The experiment is repeated with the ruler pivoted at the 99.0 cm mark. Nothing else is changed from Figure 3. This arrangement is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 Ti
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): State two necessary conditions for the beam to be in equilibrium. [2 marks] Condition 1 Condition 2
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (1 mark): State what is meant by the centre of mass. [1 mark]
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q04.3 (2 marks): Explain why the centre of mass of the beam in Figure 4 must be vertically below A. [2 marks]
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A bird sits on a uniform rod suspended from vertical wires P and Q. The rod has a weight W and is 15.0 cm long. The weight of the bird is 2W and acts at a dista
June 2017, Paper 1, Q05.1 (1 mark): Explain how Figure 7 shows that the friction between the ladder and the wall is negligible. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): The forces acting on the ladder are in equilibrium. Draw an arrow on Figure 7 to show the direction of the resultant force from the ground acting on the ladder.
June 2017, Paper 1, Q05.3 (2 marks): The ladder is 8.0 m long and weighs 390 N. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force from the wall on the ladder. [2 marks] resultant force = N
June 2017, Paper 1, Q05.4 (3 marks): Suggest the changes to the forces acting on the ladder that occur when someone climbs the ladder. [3 marks]
June 2017, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A light uniform rigid bar is pivoted at its centre. Forces act on the bar at its ends and at the centre. Which diagram shows the bar in equilibrium? [1 mark] A
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): The diagram shows a uniform metre ruler of weight 1.5 N pivoted 15 cm from one end for use as a simple balance. A scale pan of weight 0.5 N is placed at the end
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q03.2 (3 marks): The distance from the surface of the ball to the pivot is 12.0 cm, as shown in Figure 8. Calculate the moment of the weight of the ball about the pivot when the
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q03.3 (3 marks): The spring is attached at a distance of 8.0 cm from the pivot and the spring has a stiffness of 100 N m–1. Calculate the extension of the spring when the rod is
Specimen, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): A car wheel nut can be loosened by applying a force of 200 N on the end of a bar of length 0.8 m as in X. A car mechanic is capable of applying forces of 500 N
June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by the centre of mass of an object. [1 mark] ______________________________________________________________________________ ________________
June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b) (2 marks): A uniform plank of wood of mass 32 kg and length 4.0 m is used by a boy to help him cross a ditch. In the ditch is a rock, which is used to support the plank ho
June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c) (3 marks): The boy has a mass of 46 kg. Determine whether the boy can walk to the far end of the plank without it tipping. Support your answer with a calculation. [3 marks
June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a) (2 marks): Define the moment of a force about a point. [2 marks]
June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the moment of force X about the pivot. State an appropriate unit. [2 marks] moment = unit
June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate force Y. [2 marks] force = N
June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the moment of the ship’s weight about point P. State an appropriate unit for your answer. [2 marks] moment unit
June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the minimum vertical force, T, required to start to raise the front of the ship. Assume the ship pivots about point P. [2 marks] minimum vertical forc
June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(iv) (3 marks): Calculate the minimum force, F, that must be exerted to start to raise the front of the ship. [3 marks] force N
January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a) (3 marks): State the principle of moments. (3 marks)
January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the moment of the force applied by the cyclist about the pivot. State an appropriate unit. unit (3 marks) moment =
January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the tension in the brake cable. Assume the weight of the lever is negligible. tension = N (3 marks)
June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the moment of the sprinter’s weight, W, about her finger tips. Give an appropriate unit. unit (2 marks) answer =
June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): By taking moments about her finger tips, calculate the force on her back foot, marked X. answer = N (3 marks)
June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the force F. answer = N (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the moment caused by the weight of the aircraft about the point X. answer = Nm (2 marks)
January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): By taking moments about X, calculate the lift fan thrust if the aircraft is to remain horizontal when hovering. answer = N (3 marks)
January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the engine thrust in Figure 3. answer = N (1 mark)
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Define the moment of a couple. (2 marks)
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the moment of the couple exerted by the horses, stating an appropriate unit. answer = (2 marks)
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a) (2 marks): State the Principle of Moments. (2 marks)
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b) (2 marks): Calculate the moment of the rider’s weight about B. Give an appropriate unit. answer = (2 marks)
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c) (4 marks): By taking the moments about B, calculate the vertical force that the road exerts on the front tyre at A. State your answer to an appropriate number of significa
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(d) (1 mark): Calculate the vertical force that the road exerts on the rear tyre at B. answer = N (1 mark)
January 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Define the moment of a force about a point. (2 marks)
January 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): State and explain which pair of springs, front or rear, will be compressed the most. (2 marks)
January 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(iii) (4 marks): By taking moments about axle B, calculate the force exerted on the truck by each rear spring. answer = N (4 marks)
June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the moment of the container’s weight about the point Q on the quayside, stating an appropriate unit. answer (3 marks)
June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe and explain one feature of the crane that prevents it from toppling over when it is lifting a container. (2 marks)
January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): State and explain one modiﬁ cation you could make to the arrangement in Figure 2 to make it more stable. (2 marks)
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q4(a) (2 marks): 4 (a) Define the moment of a force. (2 marks)
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q4(b) (7 marks): 4 (b) Figure 2 shows the forces acting on a uniform ladder, AB, resting against a smooth vertical wall. The angle between the ladder and the wall is 30°. Figure
June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(a) (4 marks): 1 (a) (i) State two conditions necessary for an object to be in equilibrium. 1 (a) (ii) For each condition state the consequence if the condition is not met. (4
June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(b) (3 marks): 1 (b) Calculate for the situation shown in Figure 1, 1 (b) (i) the force, U, 1 (b) (ii) the force, D. (3 marks)
June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(c) (3 marks): 1 (c) Explain the effect on the magnitudes of U and D if the vaulter moves his leading hand closer to the centre of gravity of the pole and the pole is still in
January 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q2(a) (2 marks): 2 (a) State the principle of moments for a body in equilibrium. (2 marks)
January 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q2(b) (5 marks): (b) Figure 1 shows a vertical force, F, being applied to raise a wheelbarrow which has a total weight of 500 N. Figure 1 500 N 0.70 m 1.5 m F (i) On Figure 1 dr

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