Lesson 3.03v

3.03v Problems with pulleys and connected systems Quiz: OCR Maths, Unit 18

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.03v, Problems with pulleys and connected systems: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR Maths (H240), Unit 18: Forces and Newton's Laws, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What assumption about a string implies that acceleration is the same for both connected particles?

    • Smooth
    • Light
    • Flexible
    • Inextensible

  2. What assumption about a string allows its mass to be neglected in mechanics calculations?

    • Inextensible
    • Smooth
    • Rigid
    • Light

  3. What does a smooth pulley imply about the tension in the string on either side?

    • Tension is variable
    • Tension is zero
    • Tension doubles
    • Tension is equal

  4. A particle of mass 3 kg accelerates at 2 m s^-2. What is the magnitude of the resultant force?

    • 5 N
    • 12 N
    • 6 N
    • 1.5 N

  5. Two masses, 3 kg and 2 kg, are connected over a smooth pulley. What is their acceleration?

    • 0.1g
    • g
    • 0.2g
    • 0.5g

  6. What is the maximum value of static friction force equal to before sliding occurs?

    • mu R
    • mu mg
    • R / mu
    • mu g

  7. A particle of mass m rests on a rough plane inclined at angle theta. What is normal reaction?

    • mg cos(theta)
    • mg tan(theta)
    • mg sin(theta)
    • mg

  8. A particle slides down a rough slope inclined at angle theta. What component of gravity acts down slope?

    • mg sin(theta)
    • mg cos(theta)
    • mg tan(theta)
    • mg

  9. What direction does the frictional force always act relative to the motion of a particle?

    • Towards centre
    • Opposite to motion
    • Parallel to motion
    • Perpendicular to surface

  10. A particle is on the point of slipping down a rough slope of angle theta. What is coefficient mu?

    • 1 / tan(theta)
    • sin(theta)
    • tan(theta)
    • cos(theta)

  11. Two connected blocks, 4 kg and 6 kg, are pulled by 20 N. What is tension between them?

    • 10 N
    • 12 N
    • 8 N
    • 20 N

  12. For a rigid body to be in coplanar equilibrium, what must the resultant moment about any point be?

    • Maximum
    • Zero
    • Constant
    • Equal to weight

  13. How is the moment of a force about a point calculated?

    • Force x distance
    • Force x angle
    • Force x perpendicular distance
    • Force / distance

  14. A 2 kg mass rests on a rough table with coefficient of friction 0.4. What is limiting friction?

    • 2g N
    • 0.8g N
    • 0.4g N
    • 1.6g N

  15. A particle on a rough plane remains stationary. How does static friction F compare to limiting friction?

    • F > mu R
    • F <= mu R
    • F = mu R
    • F = mg

  16. A car pulls an 800 kg caravan with acceleration 1.5 m s^-2. What is the towbar tension?

    • 2700 N
    • 1800 N
    • 1500 N
    • 1200 N

  17. What force does a smooth peg exert on a light inextensible string passing over it?

    • Normal force
    • Gravitational force
    • Tensional force
    • Frictional force

  18. Two particles of masses m and 3m are connected over a smooth pulley. What is the acceleration?

    • g
    • 0.5g
    • 0.25g
    • 0.75g

  19. Two vertical string sections with tension T pull down on a pulley. What is total force on the pulley?

    • Zero
    • 4T downwards
    • T downwards
    • 2T downwards

  20. When a body is moving on a rough surface, what state is the frictional force in?

    • Zero friction
    • Limiting friction
    • Static equilibrium
    • Kinetic friction

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