Grade 11 Physical Sciences · Mechanics

State Newton's laws and force terms

State Newton's three laws or the law of gravitation in full, or define terms like inertia, normal force, friction and weight.

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Question 2.1 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

A block of mass kg is at rest on a rough horizontal surface. When a constant force F of magnitude N acts on the block at an angle to the horizontal, the block experiences maximum static friction. See the diagram below.Diagram for this question
2.1 State Newton's Second Law of Motion in words.(2)

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  1. 3. Question 2.1 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

    Block A of mass kg is connected to block B of mass kg by a light inextensible string passing over a frictionless pulley. Block A is at rest on a rough horizontal table and block B hangs vertically, as shown in the diagram below.

    A force F of magnitude N is applied on block A at an angle of to the horizontal, causing block A to accelerate TO THE LEFT from rest along the table.

    The coefficient of kinetic friction between the surface of the table and block A is .Diagram for this question
    2.1 State Newton's Second Law of Motion in words.(2)
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    1. ✓
      Newton's Second Law in wordsWhen a resultant/net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force. The acceleration is directly proportional to the resultant/net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

      OR

      The resultant/net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object in the direction of the resultant/net force.

      2 marks · State Newton's laws and force terms

  2. 4. Question 2.1 · November 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

    In an experiment, a crate of mass kg, lying stationary on a rough horizontal table, is connected to a mass hanger by means of a light inextensible string passing over a frictionless pulley, as shown in the diagram below. Mass pieces are added to the mass hanger and the acceleration of the crate is measured. The experiment is repeated several times by adding different masses to increase the hanging mass each time.

    Ignore the effects of air friction.

    The results obtained were used to draw the sketch graph below.Diagram for this questionDiagram for this question
    2.1 Define the term static friction.(2)
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      Definition of static frictionThe force that opposes the tendency of motion of a stationary object relative/parallel to a surface.

      2 marks · State Newton's laws and force terms

  3. 5. Question 2.1 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

    Two blocks, , of mass kg, and , of mass kg, are connected by a light inextensible string. The blocks are held at rest on a plane which is inclined at an angle of with the horizontal.

    A constant force, , acting parallel to the plane, is applied to block , as shown in the diagram below. The blocks now accelerate up the plane at m·s.Diagram for this question
    2.1 State Newton's Second Law of Motion in words.(2)
    Show the memo (1 tick)
    1. ✓
      Newton's Second LawWhen a resultant/net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force. The acceleration is directly proportional to the resultant/net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

      OR

      The resultant/net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object in the direction of the resultant/net force.

      2 marks · State Newton's laws and force terms

  4. 6. Question 2.3 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

    Block A of mass m is connected to block B of mass kg by a light inextensible rope passing over a frictionless pulley. Block B is initially held at a height of m above the ground, while block A is initially stationary on the ground, as shown in the diagram below.

    When block B is released, it moves vertically downwards and strikes the ground with a velocity of m·s.

    Ignore the effects of friction.Diagram for this question
    2.3 State Newton's Second Law of Motion in words.(2)
    Show the memo (1 tick)
    1. ✓
      Newton's Second LawWhen a resultant/net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force with an acceleration that is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

      OR

      The resultant/net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object in the direction of the resultant/net force.

      2 marks · State Newton's laws and force terms

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