The Collection of

Physics Modifications and Characteristics

Chapter 1 and 2
(Force and Motion)

Form 4

By: Ngu Leon Weiy

Note: No part of this whole document shall be reproduced in any means or ways.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The spring should have small

diameter.

- So it is stiffer.

- It must have high elastic limit.

- Able to support heavy loads.

- It has high spring constant.

- It is stiffer.

- It has small natural frequency.

- To reduce bumping.

- S is chosen because the spring has small diameter, high elastic limit, high
spring constant and small natural frequency.

You are required to determine the most suitable motorcycle to move fast and
safe when racing.
Study the specifications of all the four motorcycles from the following aspects:
-

The type of brakes

The width of tyre
The mass of motorcycle
The seat height

Explain the suitability of the aspects.

Justify your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The motorcycle must be with antilock - To prevent the brake from locking
braking system (ABS).
and motorcycle from skidding.
- The width of tyre must be bigger.

- To reduce pressure acting on the

ground.

- The mass should be low.

- Move faster.

- Low seat height.

- Increase stability.

- Racing bike C is chosen because it has antilock braking system (ABS), big
width of tyre, low mass and low seat height.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The mass of pile driver should be big.

- Produce bigger force upon impact.

- The position of pile driver should be

at higher position.

- Produce higher velocity when it is

used.

- Steel pile is used.

- It is stronger.

- The base of pile must be sharp.

- To produce higher pressure on the

ground.

- Q is the most suitable piling system because it has big mass of pile driver,
high position of pile driver, steel pile and sharp base of pile.

You are required to determine the most suitable design to make the ball at the
end swings up to higher level and at bigger speed. Study all the five designs
from the following aspects:
-

The arrangement of balls

The type of material used to make the balls
The number of string used to hang the balls
The position of the ball to start the oscillation

Explain the suitability of the aspects. Justify your choice.

Characteristics
- The balls touch each other.

Explanation
- This will reduce losses of energy
which will reduce the speed of the
balls.

- The type of material used to make the - Steel balls are hard and produce
balls is steel.
highly elastic collision. Energy can
easily propagate through the
intermediate balls.
- Two strings used to hang each ball.
- This string arrangement restricts
the balls movements to the same
plane.
- The position of the ball to start the
oscillation.

- High position of the ball, high

potential energy and will change to
high kinetic energy. The last end ball
will swing at bigger speed.
- The most suitable design is Q because the balls touch each other, are made
from steel, use two strings attached to each ball and the initial position of the
ball is high.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The angle must be small.

- To produce bigger resultant force.

- The shape of ship must be

streamlined.

- To reduce water resistance.

- The rod must be steel.

- It is stronger.

- The rod should be inelastic.

- To produce uniform force during

towing.

- K is chosen because the arrangement has small angle, streamlined cargo ship,
steel rod and inelastic rod.

Diagram below shows two boxers practising in a boxing ring.

Table on the next page shows five different designs of boxing rings, V, W, X, Y
and Z with different specifications.

You are required to determine the most suitable ring for boxing practice and
tournaments.
Give reasons for your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The ropes must have bigger diameter.

- So it is stronger.

- The corner post must be padded.

- To cover up the retaining rings,

turnbuckles and corner posts to
reduce impulsive force.

- The platform should be rounded

edges.

- To prevent the canvas from tearing

off.

- The platform should be padded with

foam.

- To reduce impulsive force.

- Boxing ring W is chosen because it has ropes with big diameter, padded
corner post, rounded edges platform and padded platform with foam.

Study the materials and consider their properties. Determine the most suitable
material to be used for the construction of an aircraft. Give reasons for your
choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The density of material should be low. - So it is lighter.

- The melting point of material should

be high.

- To withstand high temperature.

- The material must be very strong.

- So it will not break easily and can

withstand strong wind.

- The material must be hard.

- So the shape of aircraft will not

deform or change its shape.

- Y is chosen because it has low density, high melting point, is very strong and
hard.

You are asked to investigate the characteristics of the arm exercise equipment as
show in table above.
Explain the suitability of each feature of the arm exercise equipments in table
above. Determine the most suitable arm exercise equipment to be used
Give reasons for your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The springs are made of steel.

- So it is stiffer.

- The spring arrangement must be in

parallel.

- So the spring system is stiffer.

- The wired must be thick.

- So it is stiffer.

- The diameter of coil must be small.

- To increase the stiffness of spring.

- Arm exercise equipment S is chosen because it has springs made of steel,

arranged in parallel, thick springs and springs of small diameter coil.

Modification

Explanation

- The cord must be strong.

- So it will not break easily.

- The force constant of bow must be

high.

- To increase the stored elastic

potential energy.

- The bow must be strong.

- So it wont break easily.

- The arrow must in streamlined shape. - To reduce air resistance.

- The arrow is shot slightly above the

target.

- This is because the arrow will move

in parabolic.

Modification

Explanation

- Wear tight attire.

- To reduce air resistance.

- Shoes with spike.

- To give a better grip on ground.

- Bending body posture while running.

- To reduce air resistance.

- Jump higher.

- To increase landing time.

- Landing with small contact area on

the sand.

- To increase the distance from the

jumping plank.

You are asked to investigate the characteristics of the backhoes above and
choose the most suitable backhoe to do heavy work. Explain the suitability of
the characteristics of backhoes. Determine the most suitable backhoe and give
reasons for your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The size of tyre must be large.

- To decrease the pressure acting on

the ground.

- The fluid used in hydraulic system

should be liquid.

- Liquid is not easily to be

compressed.

- The backhoe has a large mass.

- Large inertia.

- It has a large base area and low

centre of gravity.

- So it is more stable.

- Backhoe M is most suitable because it has large tyre, liquid as fluid in

hydraulic system, large mass, large base area and low centre of gravity.

Based on the table above, explain the suitable characteristics of the student to be
in the basketball team. Choose which student will be in the basketball team and
explain your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The mass student must be with low

mass.

- So the student is agile.

- The height of student is high.

- To shoot the goal easier.

- The responding time is fast.

- To catch the ball easier.

- The power of student must be high

and the time taken to complete 100m
run must be short.

- The student has more energy.

- The student C is chosen because the student has low mass, high height, fast
responding time, high power and short time taken to complete 100m run.

Lets Rock'n'Roll. The above diagram shows a ramp used in a BMX bicycle
jumping competition. You are required to redesign the ramp using appropriate
physics concepts to enable the cyclist to land at a longer distance.
You should include the following aspects:

Modification

Explanation

- The ramp must be higher.

- To produce greater gravitational

potential energy.

- Low gradient of QR.

- This can result in high launching

velocity.

- The surface must be smooth.

- To reduce friction.

- The landing ground must be soft.

- To reduce the impulsive force.

- The ramp must be strong.

- To withstand strong force caused

by jumping and landing.

State and explain five safety features in a car that can be used to protect the
driver of a car in the event of an accident.

Modification

Explanation

- An anti-lock braking (ABS) should be - To avoid the car from skidding and
equipped.
the brake from locking.
- A safety belt is used in the car.

- To avoid the passenger from being

thrown out during impact.

- The front of car must be crumple

zone.

- To decrease the impulsive force

during impact.

- The windscreen must scatter into

rounded-glass during impact.

- To prevent injuries done to

passenger.

- Air bag should be used in the car.

- To protect the passengers head

during impact.

An engineer is converting a passenger airplane into a cargo airplane. The cargo

airplane has to carry more weight and needs to fly at higher altitude to cut down
fuel consumption. State the modifications that need to be done based on the
following aspects:
(i) Load capacity
(ii) Efficiency
(iii) Safety

Modification

Explanation

- The size of the body is increased.

- To carry more loads.

- The length of wing is increased.

- To produce greater upthrust.

- Use a more powerful engine.

- To do more work per unit time.

- The number of tyres is increased.

- To reduce pressure acting on the

ground.

- Protective bar is put in between the

cabin and the pilot.

- To prevent the moving objects from

knocking the pilot while landing.

A grocery wants to deliver 200 eggs to a hawker centre daily using his
motorcycle. However, the grocer thinks that the eggs will crack easily during
the delivery service.
To prevent the above situation, the grocer needs to modify a suitable container
to place all the eggs so that the eggs can be delivered safely to the hawker centre.
(i) Using appropriate physics concept, suggest to the type of container that he
should use.
(ii) How he should place the eggs to prevent damages.

Modification

Explanation

- Use a polystyrene box.

- Because it is portable and easy to

carry.

- Cloth or cotton should be placed

inside the box.

- To reduce the impulsive force.

- The box should be with low density.

- So it is lighter.

- The box should be big.

- To accommodate 200 eggs.

- The eggs are arranged by layers and

put a cloth between the layers.

- To prevent the eggs from colliding

each other, causing them to crack.

Guard rails are constructed along roads up holiday hill resorts such as Cameron
Highlands to prevent cars from going over the edge. The table above shows five
guard rails with different specifications.
You are required to determine the most suitable guard rails to be constructed.
Study the specifications of all four rail guard rails to be constructed from the
following aspects:

Material
Shape of the rail
Width of the rail
Reflectors on the rail

Explain the suitability of the aspects. Justify your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The guard rail should be made of

steel.

- It is stronger.

- The guard rail should have convex

shape.

- Gives greater resistive force during

impact.

- The guard rail must be wide.

- To provide greater resistive force.

- The reflectors should be used.

- To alert the driver to bend or make

a turn.

- R is chosen because it is made of steel, in convex shape, wide and has

reflectors.

You are asked to design a radio-controlled helicopter to take part in a

competition. By using appropriate physics concepts, suggest and explain your
design based on the following aspects:

Reaction time
Mass
Rate of consumption of fuel
Body shape
Strength of material

Modification

Explanation

- The reaction time should be short.

- To respond to command faster.

- The mass should be small.

- To produce greater acceleration.

- The rate of consumption of fuel must

be high.

- To produce greater propulsive force.

- The body shape should be streamlined. - To reduce water resistance.

- The material for the body must be

strong.

- To reduce damages upon impact.

Characteristics
- The smallest division on the scale of
0.01cm is chosen.

Explanation
- Because it is suitable for the
diameter of beaker to be measured.

- The range of measurement must be up - So it is suitable to measure the

to 10cm.
diameter of beaker.
- It must be able to measure the
diameter.

- So the help of set squares is not

required.

- The level of sensitivity must be

average.

- So it is suitable for the measure of

diameter.

- The most suitable instrument is N because it has smallest division on the

scale of 0.01cm, range of measurement of up to 10cm, is able to measure
diameter and has average level of sensitivity.

Modification

Explanation

- Type of brake used must be anti-lock

braking system (ABS).

- To prevent the lorry from skidding.

- The number of tyres must be more.

- To withstand the pressure of the

lorry.

- The tank should be split into small

compartments.

- To reduce the effect of inertia.

- The material used to build the tank

must not be able to react with
petroleum.

- Last longer.

- The distance between the trailer and

the tractor must be far.

- So they will not collide with each

other.

You are required to determine the most suitable tanker to deliver oil safely.
Study the specifications of all the four tankers from the following aspects:
- The type of brakes
- The number of tyres
- The number and size of the tanks
- The distance between the trailer and the tractor.
Explain the suitability of the aspects. Justify your choice.

Characteristics

Explanation

- Antilock braking system should be

used.

- To prevent the lorry from skidding.

- The tyres should be 2.

- To increase its stability.

- The tank should be divided into 5

small tanks.

- To reduce the effect of inertia.

- The distance between the trailer and

the tractor must be more.

- To prevent the trailer and the

tractor from colliding each other.

- Tanker R is chosen because it has antilock braking system, 2 tyres, 5 small

tanks and great distance between the trailer and the tractor.

The above diagram shows a worker carrying a gas tank. The motorcycle is to be
modified for beach patrol. It has to travel on soft, sandy beaches and provide
maximum comfort for the passengers. Using appropriate physics concept,
suggest and explain suitable modifications or ways that this can be carried out.
Based on your answers on the following aspects:

Diameter of spring
Width of tyres
Material of the seat
Material for motorcycle frame
Thread patterns on the tyres

Modification

Explanation

- The spring should have smaller

diameter.

- It has higher spring constant

- Wider tyres are used.

- To reduce pressure acting on the

ground.

- Soft seat is used.

- To decrease the impulsive force.

- The material for the motorcycle frame - So it is lighter.

must be with low density.
- The thread patterns of the tyres must
be deeper.

- To give a better grip on the ground.

Modification
- The tyres must be wider.

Explanation
- To reduce pressure acting on the
sandy beaches.

- The material for the motorcycle frame - So it is lighter.

must be with low density.
- Add one more tyre and increase the
number of tyres.

- To improve its stability.

- The thread patterns on the tyres must - To give a better grip and improve
be deep.
road holding.
- The seat should be made of soft
material.

- To decrease the impulsive force.

You are asked to investigate the characteristics of the ropes in table above
which could be used to make parachute. Explain the suitability of each
characteristic in table and hence, determine which rope is the most suitable to be
used to make the parachute.

Characteristics

Explanation

- A dynamic rope is used.

- It is softer and could prevent

injuries.

- The density must be low.

- So it is lighter.

- The snapping force must be high.

- So the rope wouldnt snap.

- The rope must be with small diameter. - Safe space.

- Rope Q is used because it is dynamic rope, has low density, high snapping
force and small diameter of rope.

As a researcher, you are asked to study several race cars. Based on the
information given in table above, state and explain the features that are suitable
for a race car. Hence, determine which cars is the best race car.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The mass of car must be low.

- So it can produce a greater

acceleration.

- The power of the car should be high.

- To move faster.

- The time for 0 100 km/h should be

short.

- So the car can accelerate faster.

- The air resistance should be low.

- So the car can move faster.

- Z race car is chosen because it has low mass, high power, short time for 0
100 km/h and low air resistance.

Using the suitable physics concepts, you are required to give some suggestions
on designing a racing motorcycle of 500cc. Explain your suggestions based on
the following aspects:
- Density of motorcycle parts
- Engine power
- Spring in suspension system
- Size of tyre
- The designs of the spring

Modification

Explanation

- The density of the motorcycle parts

must be low.

- So the motorcycle is lighter and can

travel further.

- The engine power must be high.

- To produce greater acceleration.

- The spring in the suspension system

should have high spring constant.

- So it is stiffer.

- The tyres must be wide.

- To reduce pressure acting on the

ground and increase its stability.

- The spring should have high strength. - So the spring will not break easily.

Using appropriate physics concept, suggest and explain suitable designs or ways:
(i) To accelerate the rocket.
(ii) To protect the rocket from extreme heat while passing through the Earths
atmosphere.

Modification

Explanation

- The rocket must carry a oxygen tank.

- To supply oxygen to the astronaut

in the space.

- The rate of fuel combustion must be

high.

- To produce a greater acceleration.

- The body of the rocket must be built

with stages.

- To reduce its mass while

accelerating to the space.

- The body of rocket should be made

with high melting point material.

- To withstand strong heat and high

temperature when passing through
the atmosphere.

- The body of rocket should be

streamlined.

- To reduce air resistance.

Modification

Explanation

- The shape of the rocket must be

streamlined.

- To reduce air resistance.

- Low density material is used.

- It is lighter.

- Liquid oxygen is used.

- To boost its combustion.

- The size of the combustion chamber

must be large.

- More space for the fuel to burn.

- The rocket should have stages.

- So the stages can be dropped off

and it will be lighter.

Modification

Explanation

- The track must in semi circular shape. - For easier exchange between
gravitational potential energy and
kinetic energy.
- The slope is increased.

- For easier oscillation caused by

change of energy.

- The surface must be smooth.

- To reduce frictional force.

- The surface must be soft.

- To reduce impulsive force caused by

accident.

- The material for the track must be

strong.

- To withstand strong force caused

by jumping and landing.

Using your knowledge of motion, forces and properties of materials, you are
required to make suggestion to design a sailboat which can travel faster.
Your suggestion must base on the following aspects:
(i) Shape of the hull
(ii) Material used to make the hull
(iii) Material used to make the sail
(iv) Size of the sail

Modification

Explanation

- Shape of the hull must be

streamlined.

- To reduce water resistance.

- The material use for the hull must be

with low density.

- So it is lighter.

- The material used for the hull must be - To reduce water resistance or drag.
smooth.
- Material used for the sail must be
flexible and strong.

- So it does not tear easily under

strong wind.

- Size of the sail must be big.

- To produce a greater forward force.

A student carries out an investigation to determine the strength of a spring by

arranging the spring and the wooden block on an inclined plane as seen in the
above diagram. He compresses the spring by exerting a force on the spring.
When the force is removed, the distance travelled by the block up the slope is
measured with a measuring tape.
Using an appropriate concept in physics, explain the modification required in
this experiment so that it is more efficient and the block is ejected a longer
distance away.

Modification

Explanation

- Use spring with bigger diameter.

- So its force constant is bigger.

- The spring should be made of steel.

- So it is stiffer and has higher force

constant.

- The force constant must be high.

- A larger force constant produces

bigger elastic potential energy that
will later change to high kinetic
energy.
- So the elastic potential energy is
bigger.

- The spring is greatly compressed.

- Slope should be placed at 45 degree.

- So the distance travelled by the

load is maximum.

Diagram below shows a tanker lorry used to deliver water.

Using suitable physics concepts, explain the modifications need to be done to

the tanker lorry so that it can transport more water safely and fuel efficiently.
The modification should include the following aspects:
- Size, material and design of the tank
- Shape of the prime mover (lorrys head)
- Number of wheels to prevent damages to the road surfaces

Modification
- The tank must be big.

Explanation
- To store and carry more water.

- The tank should be divided into a few - To reduce the effect of inertia.
compartments.
- The material used should be with low - So it is lighter.
density.
- The shape of the prime mover should
be streamlined.

- To reduce air resistance.

- The number of wheels must be more.

- To reduce pressure acting on the

ground.

Modification
- Javelin should be made of strong
material.

Explanation
- So it will not break easily.

- Javelin must be in streamlined shape. - To reduce air resistance.

- The athlete should increase his speed.

- To produce bigger force.

- The javelin should be thrown at 45

degree.

- So the javelin can be thrown

further and maximum distance.

- The javelin must be with low density. - So it is lighter

Diagram below shows a tractor.

Explain the modification that can be done to improve the efficiency of the
tractor.
Emphasise your explanation based on the following aspects:
-

Able to move bigger loads more easily

More powerful
Will not damage the road when moving
More stable

Modification

Explanation

- The tractor should have bigger mass.

- So it has bigger inertia.

- The tractor should have a hydraulic

system.

- To carry heavy loads.

- The tractor should have high power

engine.

- So it is able to do work.

- The tractor should have wide tyres.

- To reduce pressure acting on the

ground.

- The tractor should have low centre of - So it is more stable.

gravity.

Modification

Explanation

- Strong material of cable.

- To withstand the traffic light

weight.

- The rate of expansion of cable must

be low.

- So it would not change its shape

easily.

- The rate of rusting of cable must be

low.

- So it will not rust easily and will

not break easily.

- The angle must be large.

- To reduce the tension in rope.

- The traffic light must with low

density.

- Lighter.

Diagram below shows a tall building.

Due to the massive size and mass of the building, the building must be built
with suitable materials and structures.
Using physics concepts, explain the modifications that should be done to
increase the strength and stability of the building.

Modification
- The material used must be steel.

Explanation
- Steel is strong.

- The building must be with low centre - To increase its stability.

of gravity.
- The building should have large base
area.

- To increase its stability.

- The building should have huge pillars. - To absorb shock and support the
building.
- The building should have large mass.

- So it has large inertia.

Using appropriate physics concepts, explain the use of suitable equipment and
techniques to improve his performance. Your answer should include the
following aspects:
- Vaulters attire
- Vaulters movement
- Pole used
- Safety

Modification

Explanation

- The attire must be fit.

- To reduce air resistance.

- Spike shoes are used.

- To increase grip on the ground.

- The vaulter should run faster.

- To increase momentum.

- The pole used must be strong.

- So it will not break easily.

- Thick mattress is put on the ground.

- To decrease the impulsive force.

At National Water Rocket competition, the winner is supposed to design a water rocket which can be
launched to a higher altitude, further distance and take the longest time to land.
You are asked to investigate the characteristics of the water rockets and determine the best water
rockets. Give your reasons.

Characteristics

Explanation

- The bottle must be filled with 1/3

volume of water.

- So the rocket can at optimum

speed.

- The body of rocket must be

streamlined.

- To reduce air resistance.

- The angle of launching the rocket

must be at 45 degree.

- So the rocket can travel maximum

distance.

- The rocket must be equipped with

functional fins.

- To increase the stability of rocket.

- The best water rocket is rocket T because it has a straight cut shape,
streamlined body, angle of launching at 45 degree and equipped with
functional fins.

Modification

Explanation

- The shape of the water rocket must be - To reduce air resistance.

streamlined.
- The rocket is equipped with 4 wings.

- To increase its stability.

- The rocket should be made of material - So the rocket is lighter and can
with low density.
travel with greater acceleration.
- The 1/3 volume of rocket is filled
with water.

- So it can travel at optimum speed.

- The rocket is launched at 45.

- To travel maximum distance.

Modification

Explanation

- The material used must be strong.

- To withstand high pressure when

the rocket is launched.

- The rocket must be in streamlined

shape.

- To reduce air resistance.

- The angle of launching must be 45

degree.

- To travel maximum distance.

- The 1/3 volume of rocket must be

filled with water.

- To produce high momentum.

- Four fins are equipped to the rocket.

- To increases its stability.