Forces and Newton’s laws (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) — WJEC A-Level Mathematics
Test yourself on Forces and Newton’s laws (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) with WJEC A-Level practice questions.
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Forces and Newton’s laws (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) explained
A force represents an interaction that tends to alter the state of rest or uniform motion of a body.
Read the full explanation
Force is a vector quantity possessing both magnitude (measured in newtons, N) and direction, represented diagrammatically by directed line segments. Forces arise through direct physical contact (normal reaction, tension in strings, thrust in rods, friction, drag) or via non-contact fields (gravitational weight). When multiple forces act simultaneously on a particle, their vector sum produces a resultant force. Candidates must sketch clear free-body force diagrams showing all forces acting ON the particle.
Your focus
- Identify contact and non-contact forces acting on a particle in mechanical equilibrium or motion.
- Construct clear free-body force diagrams displaying all applied forces with correct directions.
- Calculate the resultant force acting on a particle by summing collinear and orthogonal force vectors.
Forces and Newton’s laws (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) exam tips
Marking Points
- identifying all forces acting on a particle and representing them on a clear free-body diagram
- identifying force types correctly (weight, normal reaction, tension, friction, thrust)
- determining the resultant force by finding the vector sum of coplanar forces
Examiner Tips
- 💡Always draw a separate free-body diagram for each body, showing all arrows pointing away from the particle.
- 💡Label every force clearly: W for weight, R for normal reaction, T for tension, F for friction.
Common Mistakes
- including forces exerted BY the particle on other bodies rather than forces acting ON the particle
- inventing nonexistent 'forces of motion' in the direction of velocity when no accelerating force exists