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Equilibrium: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 3.2.3 Equilibrium, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q4

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 4: A light rod is hung from a horizontal ceiling using 2 springs, one attached to each end. The springs have force constants k and 2k. A downwards force F is appli

  2. Q18(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 18(a)(iii): Upthrust forces act at the centre of mass of the fluid displaced. Explain why the drum cannot float in equilibrium on its side with the long axis horizontal. [2

  3. Q4(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 4(a): Suggest why the centre of mass of the needle is a short distance below the pivot. [2]

  4. Q2

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 2: A beam of length 4.0 m is pivoted at its centre. Two equal and opposite forces of magnitude 2100 N are applied to opposite ends of the beam, as shown. 2100 N pi

  5. Q13

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 13: A free-body force diagram is shown below. The system is in equilibrium. F θ 6.0 N 5.0 N Calculate the magnitude of the force F and the angle θ. F / N θ / ° A 7.

  6. Q24(a)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 24(a): State the principle of moments. [2]

  7. Q24(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium3.4.1 Springs
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 24(b)(i): [3]

  8. Q24(c)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 24(c): The point of attachment of the spring is moved from A to B, as shown below. A B Discuss how the force F must change to produce the same extension in the spring.

  9. Q6

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 6: A horizontal uniform beam of length 4L and weight W is supported at both ends. An object weighing 2W is placed on the beam at a distance L from one end. 4L 2W L

  10. Q22(b)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 22(b): The technician lifts a box from the floor without bending their knees. The diagram shows the force W due to the weight of the box. d H θ W 13 The box has a mass

  11. Q22(c)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 22(c): The diagrams show how the technician can pick up the box while bending their knees. This keeps their spine more vertical. Explain why bending the knees is less

  12. Q4(b)(i)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 4(b)(i): Explain what is meant by centre of gravity. [1]

  13. Q4(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 4(b)(ii): Fig. 4.2 shows a scale drawing of the triangular face. Fig. 4.2 R P Q Scale 1 cm represents 0.05 m Scale 1 cm represents 0.05 m Show that the centre of gravity

  14. Q4(c)(i)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 4(c)(i): State the two conditions for the equilibrium of the prism. 1 2 [3]

  15. Q4(c)(ii)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 4(c)(ii): Calculate the force F. F = N [3]

  16. Q2

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 2: Forces are applied to a circular shaft of diameter d. Which diagram shows a torque of a couple with magnitude Fd? F 2F F 2F 2 F F F 2 A B C D Your answer [1]

  17. Q19(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 19(a): Describe how to find the centre of mass of a 2-dimensional shape, including any equipment required. [3]

  18. Q2

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 2: The diagrams show four systems of forces with three forces acting at a single point. The forces are in the same plane. The diagrams are drawn to scale. Which sy

  19. Q15

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 15: A cable is used to hang a picture from a nail. The diagram shows all the forces acting on the picture. T is the tension in the cable and W is the weight of the

  20. Q16

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.3 Equilibrium
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 16: An object is in equilibrium. Only two forces, X and Y, act on the object. Which of the following statements must be correct? X and Y are equal and opposite. 1 X
All 58 questions on Equilibrium, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): A light rod is hung from a horizontal ceiling using 2 springs, one attached to each end. The springs have force constants k and 2k. A downwards force F is appli
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q18(a)(iii) (2 marks): Upthrust forces act at the centre of mass of the fluid displaced. Explain why the drum cannot float in equilibrium on its side with the long axis horizontal. [2
  3. June 2025, Paper 3, Q4(a) (2 marks): Suggest why the centre of mass of the needle is a short distance below the pivot. [2]
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): A beam of length 4.0 m is pivoted at its centre. Two equal and opposite forces of magnitude 2100 N are applied to opposite ends of the beam, as shown. 2100 N pi
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): A free-body force diagram is shown below. The system is in equilibrium. F θ 6.0 N 5.0 N Calculate the magnitude of the force F and the angle θ. F / N θ / ° A 7.
  6. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q24(a) (2 marks): State the principle of moments. [2]
  7. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(i) (3 marks): [3]
  8. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q24(c) (3 marks): The point of attachment of the spring is moved from A to B, as shown below. A B Discuss how the force F must change to produce the same extension in the spring.
  9. June 2024, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): A horizontal uniform beam of length 4L and weight W is supported at both ends. An object weighing 2W is placed on the beam at a distance L from one end. 4L 2W L
  10. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (2 marks): The technician lifts a box from the floor without bending their knees. The diagram shows the force W due to the weight of the box. d H θ W 13 The box has a mass
  11. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q22(c) (3 marks): The diagrams show how the technician can pick up the box while bending their knees. This keeps their spine more vertical. Explain why bending the knees is less
  12. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by centre of gravity. [1]
  13. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Fig. 4.2 shows a scale drawing of the triangular face. Fig. 4.2 R P Q Scale 1 cm represents 0.05 m Scale 1 cm represents 0.05 m Show that the centre of gravity
  14. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (3 marks): State the two conditions for the equilibrium of the prism. 1 2 [3]
  15. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the force F. F = N [3]
  16. June 2023, Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Forces are applied to a circular shaft of diameter d. Which diagram shows a torque of a couple with magnitude Fd? F 2F F 2F 2 F F F 2 A B C D Your answer [1]
  17. June 2023, Paper 1, Q19(a) (3 marks): Describe how to find the centre of mass of a 2-dimensional shape, including any equipment required. [3]
  18. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): The diagrams show four systems of forces with three forces acting at a single point. The forces are in the same plane. The diagrams are drawn to scale. Which sy
  19. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A cable is used to hang a picture from a nail. The diagram shows all the forces acting on the picture. T is the tension in the cable and W is the weight of the
  20. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): An object is in equilibrium. Only two forces, X and Y, act on the object. Which of the following statements must be correct? X and Y are equal and opposite. 1 X
  21. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): The object below is in equilibrium. 5.6 N 30° object 10 N 10 N P A force, not shown on the diagram, also acts on the object at point P. Which of the following s
  22. June 2022, Paper 1, Q18(b) (6 marks): A tent is secured by 3 ropes along each of its long sides, as shown in Fig. 18.1. tent 6.0 m 1.9 m ropes 6.0 m tent 1.9 m ropes side view Fig. 18.1 (b)* When th
  23. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): A thin metal plate is free to rotate in the vertical plane about the point P. Four forces A, B, C and D act at the same point on the plate, as shown below. A P
  24. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A student balances a uniform metal rod horizontally. rod x W pivot F The rod is pivoted at its middle. The position of weight W is kept constant. Th e distance
  25. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (3 marks): State the two conditions for an object to be in equilibrium. 1. 2. [3]
  26. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that M is about 0.13 kg. [2]
  27. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): By taking moments about point A, determine d. d = m [3]
  28. November 2021, Paper 1, Q19(a) (1 mark): State the principle of moments. [1]
  29. November 2021, Paper 1, Q19(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the magnitude of the minimum force F which lifts the front end of the wheelie bin (point X) off the ground is 96 N. [3]
  30. November 2021, Paper 1, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use your answer to (b)(i) to calculate the magnitude of the force R required to stop the wheelie bin from moving to the right. R = N [2]
  31. November 2021, Paper 1, Q19(c) (1 mark): The wheelie bin in now placed on an adjustable slope. The wheels are now fixed so they cannot move. wheelie bin adjustable slope θ W The angle θ made by the slo
  32. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q26(a) (2 marks): Show that the distances x and y are given by the expression y = ⎛ ⎞ F x, where g is the ⎝ ⎠ ALρg acceleration of free fall. [2]
  33. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q26(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw a straight line of best fit through the data points plotted by the student. Determine the gradient of the straight line of best fit. gradient = [2]
  34. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q26(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use your answer to (i) and the data below to determine the density ρ of the metal. • F = 6.8 N • L = 0.90 m A = 6.4 × 10−5 m2 • ρ = kg m−3 [3]
  35. November 2020, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): A wooden block is stationary on a ramp. N ramp block W 30° The diagram is not drawn to scale. The block has weight W. The normal contact force on the block is N
  36. November 2020, Paper 1, Q16(c) (1 mark): The total frictional force acting on the car as it travels up the slope is 300 N. Calculate the force provided by the tow bar on the car. force = N [1]
  37. November 2020, Paper 3, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Draw, on the diagram above, arrows which represent the three forces acting on the ball. [2] Label each arrow with the name of the force it represents.
  38. November 2020, Paper 3, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): By taking moments about the pivot, or otherwise, show that x = 1.8 cm. [2]
  39. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): An object is in equilibrium under the action of three coplanar forces F, R and W. The diagram below shows the forces F and W. W = 4.5 N F = 6.2 N The angle betw
  40. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): A uniform beam is initially lying on horizontal ground, as shown below. beam ground θ X weight The end X of the beam is hinged. The beam is tilted from angle θ
  41. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A uniform beam has length 0.80 m and weight W. The beam is hinged at point H. A cable is attached to the beam at a distance x from H. The vertical upwards force
  42. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Determine the magnitude of TB. TB = N [1]
  43. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Draw a triangle of forces on Fig. 6.3 to represent the forces acting on the cylinder. Determine the magnitude of TA. TA = N [3]
  44. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (1 mark): Determine the angle θ in Fig. 6.2. θ = ° [1] Question 6 continues on page 16
  45. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q6(c) (2 marks): Fig. 6.4 shows the same cylinder at rest on a bench. A horizontal force F is applied to the cylinder so that it can rotate about point X. 32 mm F cylinder 100 m
  46. June 2019, Paper 1, Q22(a) (1 mark): The width of the screwdriver blade is 5.0 × 10–3 m from end to end. The ends of the blade exert equal and opposite forces on the screw. The magnitude of each fo
  47. June 2019, Paper 1, Q22(b) (3 marks): The wooden sign is then hung on the screw at point A. The forces acting on the screw are shown in Fig. 22.2. inside section of the wall outer edge of the wall R
  48. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram below shows a rotating steam generator. nozzle 0.12 N 8.2 × 10–2 m steam generator 0.12 N nozzle The steam ejected from the nozzles provides a coupl
  49. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q21(a) (1 mark): For a system to be in equilibrium, the resultant force must be zero. State another condition that must be satisfied for the system to be in equilibrium. [1]
  50. June 2018, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): A rod is fixed to a pulley. Two 50 N forces are applied to the ends of the rod as shown. The tension in the rope attached to the pulley is T. The system is in e
  51. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): The diagram shows a uniform rod at rest in a horizontal position. wall cable rod X The rod is hinged at point X. A cable is attached to a vertical wall and the
  52. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q22(a) (2 marks): State and explain the magnitude and the direction of the resultant force at X due to the two forces exerted by the extended springs. [2]
  53. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (2 marks): Sketch a labelled triangle of forces diagram for the three forces acting at point X. You do not need to draw this diagram to scale. [2]
  54. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q22(c) (2 marks): Show that the tension T in each extended spring is 3.4 N. [2]
  55. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q4(a) (4 marks): Show that the tension T in the cable is about 460 N. [4]
  56. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Two forces act on an object in the same plane. Which diagram shows a couple? 10 N A object 10 N 20 N 10 N B object 10 N 10 N C object 20 N D object 10 N Your an
  57. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q22(a) (2 marks): Use the principle of moments and the information provided in Fig. 22 to calculate the vertical force F exerted by the pillar on the platform. F = N [2]
  58. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A block of wood is at rest on a ramp. The weight of the block is W and the frictional force on the block is F. block F ramp W A triangle of forces diagram can b

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