Forces is one of 8 topics in the Grade 10 Mechanical Technology CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which type of force acts to stretch or elongate a component along its length?
Tensile force
Compressive force
Shearing force
None of these
Answer: Tensile force — A tensile (pulling) force acts to stretch or elongate a component along its length, pulling its ends apart.
Easy
2. Which type of force acts to push or squeeze a component, tending to shorten or crush it?
Compressive force
Tensile force
Shearing force
Rotational force
Answer: Compressive force — A compressive force pushes or squeezes a component, tending to shorten or crush it along the direction the force is applied.
Medium
3. Name the type of force that acts to slide one part of a component past an adjacent part along a plane, rather than stretching or compressing it along its length.
Answer: shearing force — A shearing force acts to slide one part of a component past an adjacent part along a plane, distinct from tensile (stretching) or compressive (crushing) force.
