AQA AS PHYSICS MECHANICS TOP
FORECASTED EXAM 2 PRACTICE TEST 2026
FULL SOLUTIONS REVIEW PACK
◉ Difference between a scalar and a vector.
Answer: vector has magnitude and direction
scalar only has magnitude
◉ Examples of scalars.
Answer: speed, mass, time, energy, power
◉ Examples of vectors.
Answer: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, weight
◉ Adding perpendicular vectors by calculation.
Answer: -Draw vectors as a right angled triangle and use Pythagoras
to find magnitude of resultant vector
-Use SOHCAHTOA for the angle.
◉ Adding vectors
by scale drawing.
,Answer: -write down scale eg 1cm=2N
-draw vectors to correct length and angle to each other "tip to tail"
add the resultant vector line and measure length (convert with
scale) and angle of resultant vector
◉ Resolving vectors into two perpendicular components.
Answer:
◉ Resolving components along, and perpendicular to, an inclined
slope.
Answer: Trig as normal
◉ Conditions for equilibrium of two or three coplanar forces acting
at a point.
Answer: total resultant force equals zero (∑F=0)
OR if vectors representing forces are added together they will form a
closed triangle.
◉ Two conditions for a body to remain in equilibrium.
Answer: 1. Resultant force = 0
2. resultant moment about any point is zero
- stationary OR travelling at constant velocity
, ◉ moment (with units).
Answer: force x perpendicular distance from the point to the line of
action of the force. Nm
◉ Principle of Moments.
Answer: in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments about a
point = sum of anticlockwise moments
◉ Definition of a couple.
Answer: A pair of equal and opposite coplanar forces eg bike
handlebars - only rotational motion occurs
◉ Definition of the moment of a couple.
Answer: ONE force x perpendicular distance between the lines of
actions of the two forces. F x d
◉ Definition of centre of gravity.
Answer: point in a body through which weight appears to act -
object will balance if supported at its COG
◉ Definition of centre of mass.
Answer: point in a body where the resultant moment from an
applied force is zero
FORECASTED EXAM 2 PRACTICE TEST 2026
FULL SOLUTIONS REVIEW PACK
◉ Difference between a scalar and a vector.
Answer: vector has magnitude and direction
scalar only has magnitude
◉ Examples of scalars.
Answer: speed, mass, time, energy, power
◉ Examples of vectors.
Answer: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, weight
◉ Adding perpendicular vectors by calculation.
Answer: -Draw vectors as a right angled triangle and use Pythagoras
to find magnitude of resultant vector
-Use SOHCAHTOA for the angle.
◉ Adding vectors
by scale drawing.
,Answer: -write down scale eg 1cm=2N
-draw vectors to correct length and angle to each other "tip to tail"
add the resultant vector line and measure length (convert with
scale) and angle of resultant vector
◉ Resolving vectors into two perpendicular components.
Answer:
◉ Resolving components along, and perpendicular to, an inclined
slope.
Answer: Trig as normal
◉ Conditions for equilibrium of two or three coplanar forces acting
at a point.
Answer: total resultant force equals zero (∑F=0)
OR if vectors representing forces are added together they will form a
closed triangle.
◉ Two conditions for a body to remain in equilibrium.
Answer: 1. Resultant force = 0
2. resultant moment about any point is zero
- stationary OR travelling at constant velocity
, ◉ moment (with units).
Answer: force x perpendicular distance from the point to the line of
action of the force. Nm
◉ Principle of Moments.
Answer: in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments about a
point = sum of anticlockwise moments
◉ Definition of a couple.
Answer: A pair of equal and opposite coplanar forces eg bike
handlebars - only rotational motion occurs
◉ Definition of the moment of a couple.
Answer: ONE force x perpendicular distance between the lines of
actions of the two forces. F x d
◉ Definition of centre of gravity.
Answer: point in a body through which weight appears to act -
object will balance if supported at its COG
◉ Definition of centre of mass.
Answer: point in a body where the resultant moment from an
applied force is zero
