The Physics Question Bank

← All topics  |  Forces topic page  |  Key: C+S = Combined and Separate · S only = Separate only · HT = Higher only  |  🔍 = see example pictures (Google Images, SafeSearch on)

Lesson 1 – Scalars, vectors and resultant forces (C+S)

1. Read and copy notes: Scalars and Vectors and Resultant Forces → notes and copy boxes.
2. Copy definitions: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 1 “Scalar vs vector”, 2 “Contact vs non-contact force” and 4 “What is a resultant force?”
3. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 48 (book on a table) 🔍, diagram 49 (car at constant speed) 🔍 and diagram 52 (contact and non-contact forces) 🔍. (HT) diagram 50 (scale drawing of a resultant) 🔍 and diagram 51 (resolving a force) 🔍.
4. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 1 (scalars, vectors and types of force).
5. Practise: the questions on Scalars and Vectors and Resultant Forces.

Lesson 2 – Weight and work done (C+S)

1. Copy definitions: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 3 “What is weight?” and 5 “What is work done? What is 1 joule?”
2. Copy worked examples: Weight: W = mg → Q1 and Work done: W = Fs → Q1.
3. See examples: 🔍 weight acting from the centre of mass.
4. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 2 (weight and resultant force).
5. Practise: Q2–Q10 on both equation pages.

Lesson 3 – Forces and elasticity, and the spring practical (C+S)

1. Read and copy notes: Forces and Elasticity → notes and copy box.
2. Copy definitions: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 6 “Elastic vs inelastic deformation” and 7 “What is the limit of proportionality?”
3. Copy worked example: Force on a spring: F = ke → Q1.
4. Read: Required practical: Force and extension.
5. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 53 (practical set-up) 🔍 and diagram 54 (force–extension graph) 🔍.
6. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 3 (work done and springs) and passage 10 (force and extension practical).
7. Practise: F = ke → Q2–Q10, the Forces and Elasticity questions, and the practical’s exam-style questions.

Lesson 4 – Moments, levers and gears (S only)

1. Read and copy notes: Moments, Levers and Gears → notes and copy box.
2. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 8 “What is the moment of a force?”
3. Copy worked example: Moments: M = Fd → Q1.
4. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 55 (balanced seesaw) 🔍 and diagram 56 (gears) 🔍. See also 🔍 levers.
5. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 4 (moments and pressure in fluids) – first half.
6. Practise: M = Fd → Q2–Q10 and the Moments, Levers and Gears questions.

Lesson 5 – Pressure in fluids and upthrust (S only; p = hρg HT)

1. Read and copy notes: Pressure in Fluids and Upthrust → notes and copy box.
2. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 18 “What is pressure?”
3. Copy worked examples: Pressure: p = F/A → Q1. (HT) Pressure in a liquid: p = hρg → Q1.
4. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 57 (pressure increases with depth) 🔍 and diagram 58 (upthrust) 🔍.
5. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → finish passage 4.
6. Practise: Q2–Q10 on the pressure equation pages and the Pressure in Fluids questions.

Lesson 6 – Speed, velocity and motion graphs (C+S; tangents HT)

1. Read and copy notes: Motion Graphs → notes and the copy box table.
2. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 9 “Speed vs velocity”.
3. Copy worked examples: Distance, speed and time: s = vt → Q1, and Motion Graphs → Q7 (distance from the area under a velocity–time graph).
4. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 59 (distance–time graph shapes) 🔍 and diagram 60 (velocity–time graph) 🔍. (HT) See also 🔍 tangent to a curve.
5. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 5 (speed, velocity and motion graphs).
6. Practise: Motion Graphs → Q1–Q4, Q6 and Q8; s = vt → Q2–Q10; then Motion graph activities.

Lesson 7 – Acceleration (C+S)

1. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 10 “What is acceleration?”
2. Copy worked examples: Acceleration: a = Δv/t → Q1 and Uniform acceleration: v² − u² = 2as → Q1.
3. Practise: Motion Graphs → Q5, then Q2–Q10 on both equation pages.

Lesson 8 – Newton’s laws and the acceleration practical (C+S; inertia HT)

1. Read and copy notes: Newton’s Laws → the three laws table and the copy box.
2. Copy definitions: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 11, 12 and 13 (Newton’s first, second and third laws) and (HT) 14 “What is inertia?”
3. Copy worked examples: Newton’s Laws → Q3 (acceleration of a trolley) and Q7 (two skaters pushing apart).
4. Read: Required practical: Acceleration.
5. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 61 (acceleration practical) 🔍 and diagram 66 (Newton’s third law – rocket) 🔍.
6. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 6 (Newton’s laws) and passage 11 (acceleration practical).
7. Practise: Newton’s Laws → the remaining questions; F = ma → Q1–Q10; and the practical’s exam-style questions.
8. Lesson activity: Skate Park Physics.

Lesson 9 – Terminal velocity (C+S)

1. Read and copy notes: Terminal Velocity → notes and copy box.
2. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 15 “What is terminal velocity?”
3. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 62 (skydiver at each stage) 🔍 and diagram 63 (skydiver velocity–time graph) 🔍.
4. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 7 (terminal velocity).
5. Practise: the questions on Terminal Velocity.
6. Lesson activities: Skydive Challenge or Parachute Test Lab.

Lesson 10 – Stopping distances (C+S)

1. Read and copy notes: Stopping Distances → notes and copy box.
2. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 16 “What is the stopping distance of a vehicle?”
3. Copy worked example: Stopping Distances → Q5 (thinking distance at 20 m/s).
4. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 64 (stopping distance bars) 🔍. See also 🔍 ruler-drop reaction time test.
5. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 8 (stopping distance).
6. Practise: Stopping Distances → Q1–Q4, Q6–Q8.
7. Lesson activity: Road Safety Campaign.

Lesson 11 – Momentum (C+S HT; safety features and F = mΔv/Δt S only HT)

1. Read and copy notes: Conservation of Momentum and Safety Features → notes and copy box.
2. Copy definition: Forces topic page → Key definitions → 17 “Law of conservation of momentum”.
3. Copy worked examples: Momentum: p = mv → Q1. (S only) F = mΔv/Δt → Q1.
4. Draw: Key Diagrams: Forces → diagram 65 (collision before and after) 🔍. (S only) See also 🔍 car safety features.
5. Fill the gaps: Fill the gaps: Forces → passage 9 (momentum).
6. Practise: Q2–Q10 on the momentum equation pages and the Conservation of Momentum questions.
7. Lesson activity (S only): Crash Test Engineer.

Lesson 12 – Review and test (C+S)

1. Read: Forces topic page → “⚠️ Where students lose marks”. Copy the three you think you’d get wrong.
2. Test yourself: Forces topic page → cover the answers and try all 18 Key definitions.
3. Mind map: Mind map guide → Forces.
4. Redraw from memory: diagrams 49, 62 and 64 from Key Diagrams: Forces, then check them.
5. Quiz: Forces quiz – 20 questions. Mark it and work out your percentage.
6. Exam practice: AQA past papers → Paper 2 forces questions.