Practise 45 real questions on Forces from 2021 to 2026. See the answer and explanation as soon as you answer.
Forces is one of the 14 main topics in our O Level Physics (Cambridge (CAIE) 5054) question bank, and about 6% of its real questions come from it. Tayyari Karo has 45 real questions on this topic from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2; 41 are multiple choice and marked instantly, and the rest are structured questions with a model answer. By difficulty: 27 medium, 10 easy, 8 hard.
Work through the questions below, then open the explanation for each one. Redo the ones you missed a few days later.
These are real past-paper questions. Think of your answer first, then open the explanation.
Which term is used to describe the property of resisting a change in the state of rest or motion of an object?
Answer: A. inertia
Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist any change in its state of rest or of uniform motion.
A parachutist falls towards the ground at constant speed with a fully open parachute.
Which statement is correct?
Answer: B. The upward force on the parachute is equal to the weight of the parachutist.
Constant (terminal) speed means zero resultant force, so the upward air resistance force must exactly balance the parachutist's weight.
A car has a weight of 8000 N.
What is the mass of the car?
Answer: B. 820 kg
mass = weight ÷ g = 8000 ÷ 9.8 ≈ 820 kg.
A liquid is held in a cylindrical container. The diameter of the base of the cylinder is d. The mass of the liquid is m and its depth is h.
Which expression gives the pressure due to the liquid on the bottom of the cylinder?
Answer: C. 4mg / (πd²)
Pressure = ρgh, and density ρ = mass ÷ volume = m ÷ (π(d/2)²h) = 4m/(πd²h); substituting gives P = ρgh = 4mg/(πd²) — the h cancels out.
Two horizontal forces are the only forces acting on a trolley. A force of 6.0 N acts forwards and a force of 3.6 N acts backwards. The trolley accelerates at 0.12 m / s².
What is the mass of the trolley?
Answer: C. 20 kg
The resultant force is 6.0 − 3.6 = 2.4 N, so m = F ÷ a = 2.4 ÷ 0.12 = 20 kg.
A planet orbits the Sun. The planet moves in a circular path at constant speed, but is accelerating because it is changing direction.
In which direction does the resultant force act to cause this acceleration?
Answer: C. directly towards the Sun
Circular motion needs a centripetal force, which acts towards the centre of the circle, that is, towards the Sun.
| Session | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
| May/June 2026 | 5 | – |
| May/June 2025 | 1 | – |
| Oct/Nov 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| May/June 2024 | 2 | – |
| Oct/Nov 2024 | 10 | – |
| May/June 2023 | 5 | – |
| Oct/Nov 2023 | 3 | – |
| May/June 2022 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct/Nov 2022 | 6 | 1 |
| May/June 2021 | 2 | 1 |
45 real O Level Physics (5054) questions on Forces from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2. Each one shows the year, session and paper it came from.
Yes. Every question shows the correct answer and a short explanation the moment you answer.
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