(Mechanics only)

Candidates may use any calculator allowed by the regulations of the

Joint Council for Qualifications. Calculators must not have the facility
for symbolic algebra manipulation, differentiation and integration, or
have retrievable mathematical formulae stored in them.

Instructions
• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
• If pencil is used for diagrams/sketches/graphs it must be dark (HB or B).
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, centre number and candidate
number.
• Answer all questions and ensure that your answers to parts of questions are clearly
labelled.
• You should show sufficient working to make your methods clear. Answers without working
may not gain full credit.
• Answers should be given to three significant figures unless otherwise stated.

Information
• A booklet ‘Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables’ is provided.
• The total mark for this part of the examination is 50. There are 5 questions.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.

Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Try to answer every question.
• Check your answers if you have time at the end.
 SECTION B: MECHANICS

Unless otherwise stated, whenever a numerical value of g is required, take g = 9.8 m s−2 and
give your answer to either 2 significant figures or 3 significant figures.

Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

6. At time t seconds, where t  0, a particle P moves in the x-y plane in such a way that its
velocity v m s−1 is given by
1
−
v= t 2
i − 4t j.

When t = 1, P is at the point A and when t = 4, P is at the point B.

Find the exact distance AB.

(6)
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2
7.

Figure 1

A wooden crate of mass 20 kg is pulled in a straight line along a rough horizontal floor using
a handle attached to the crate.
3
The handle is inclined at an angle α to the floor, as shown in Figure 1, where tan α = .
4

The tension in the handle is 40 N. The coefficient of friction between the crate and the floor
is 0.14. The crate is modelled as a particle and the handle is modelled as a light rod.

Using the model,

(a) find the acceleration of the crate.

(6)

The crate is now pushed along the same floor using the handle. The handle is again inclined
at the same angle α to the floor, and the thrust in the handle is 40 N as shown in Figure 2
below.

Figure 2

(b) Explain briefly why the acceleration of the crate would now be less than the acceleration
of the crate found in part (a).
(2)
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3
8. [In this question i and j are horizontal unit vectors due east and due north respectively and
position vectors are given relative to the fixed point O.]

A particle P moves with constant acceleration. At time t = 0, the particle is at O and is

moving with velocity (2i − 3j) m s−1. At time t = 2 seconds, P is at the point A with position
vector (7i − 10j) m.

(a) Show that the magnitude of the acceleration of P is 2.5 m s−2.

(4)

At the instant when P leaves the point A, the acceleration of P changes so that P now moves
with constant acceleration (4i + 8.8j) m s−2.

At the instant when P reaches the point B, the direction of motion of P is north east.

(b) Find the time it takes for P to travel from A to B.

(4)
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4
9.

Figure 3

A plank, AB, of mass M and length 2a, rests with its end A against a rough vertical wall. The
plank is held in a horizontal position by a rope. One end of the rope is attached to the plank
at B and the other end is attached to the wall at the point C, which is vertically above A.

A small block of mass 3M is placed on the plank at the point P, where AP = x.

The plank is in equilibrium in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the wall.

3
The angle between the rope and the plank is α, where tan α = , as shown in Figure 3.
4

The plank is modelled as a uniform rod, the block is modelled as a particle and the rope is
modelled as a light inextensible string.
5Mg (3 x + a )
(a) Using the model, show that the tension in the rope is .
6a
(3)

The magnitude of the horizontal component of the force exerted on the plank at A by the wall
is 2Mg.

(b) Find x in terms of a.

(2)

The force exerted on the plank at A by the wall acts in a direction which makes an angle β
with the horizontal.

(c) Find the value of tan β.

(5)

The rope will break if the tension in it exceeds 5 Mg.

(d) Explain how this will restrict the possible positions of P. You must justify your answer
carefully.
(3)
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5
10.

Figure 4

A boy throws a ball at a target. At the instant when the ball leaves the boy’s hand at the point
A, the ball is 2 m above horizontal ground and is moving with speed U at an angle α above
the horizontal.

In the subsequent motion, the highest point reached by the ball is 3 m above the ground. The
target is modelled as being the point T, as shown in Figure 4. The ball is modelled as a
particle moving freely under gravity.

Using the model,

2g
(a) show that U 2 = .
sin 2 
(2)

The point T is at a horizontal distance of 20 m from A and is at a height of 0.75 m above the
ground. The ball reaches T without hitting the ground.

(b) Find the size of the angle α.

(9)

(c) State one limitation of the model that could affect your answer to part (b).
(1)

(d) Find the time taken for the ball to travel from A to T.
(3)
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TOTAL FOR SECTION B IS 50 MARKS