4. Forces, density and pressure
Start with Concept to understand a topic, then use Question Bank to check what you know.
Your progress
Sign in to see your mastery and mistakes.
4.1 Turning effects of forces
• understand that the weight of an object may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity
• define and apply the moment of a force
• understand that a couple is a pair of forces that acts to produce rotation only
• define and apply the torque of a couple
4.2 Equilibrium of forces
4.2.1The principle of moments
• state and apply the principle of moments
4.2.2That, when there is no resultant force and no resultant torque, a system is
• understand that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant torque, a system is in equilibrium
4.2.3A vector triangle to represent coplanar forces in equilibrium
• use a vector triangle to represent coplanar forces in equilibrium
4.3 Density and pressure
• define and use density
• define and use pressure
• derive, from the definitions of pressure and density, the equation for hydrostatic pressure ∆p = ρg∆h
• use the equation ∆p = ρg∆h
• understand that the upthrust acting on an object in a fluid is due to a difference in hydrostatic pressure
• calculate the upthrust acting on an object in a fluid using the equation F = ρgV (Archimedes’ principle)