# A door is opened by pushing on the handle, which is positioned at the edge of the door, far from the hinges. Explain why pushing on the handle near the edge of the door requires less force than pushing at a point close to the hinges, and state what would happen to the moment if the applied force were doubled while keeping the distance from the pivot the same.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 3.3 Moments, levers and gears · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The moment depends on both the force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot (hinges)
2. Pushing at the edge gives a larger perpendicular distance from the pivot (hinges), so a smaller force is needed to produce the same moment
3. Pushing close to the hinges gives a very small perpendicular distance, so a much larger force is needed to produce the same moment
4. If the force is doubled (with distance unchanged), the moment is doubled

## Key terms

- [moment](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/moment)
- [pivot](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pivot)
- [force](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/force)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-door-is-opened-by-pushing-3eff9905) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.