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Two particles A and B, of mass 7 kg and 3 kg respectively, are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 7 - 2011 - Paper 1

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Two particles A and B, of mass 7 kg and 3 kg respectively, are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string. Initially B is held at rest on a rough fixed plan... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Two particles A and B, of mass 7 kg and 3 kg respectively, are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 7 - 2011 - Paper 1

Step 1

Find the magnitude of the acceleration of B immediately after release.

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Answer

To find the acceleration, we analyze the forces acting on both particles A and B. For particle A:

  1. The weight of A acts downwards (7g). Hence, the tension T in the string can be described by the equation:

    7gT=7a7g - T = 7a

  2. For particle B: The forces are the tension T acting upwards and the weight of B and the friction force acting down the plane. The equations are:

    TF3gextsinθ=3aT - F - 3g ext{sin}θ = 3a
    where F is the friction force and is given by:

    F = μR = rac{2}{3} R

  3. The normal force R acting on B is given by:

    R=3gextcosθR = 3g ext{cos}θ

  4. We can substitute R into the friction equation:

    F = rac{2}{3}(3g ext{cos}θ) = 2g ext{cos}θ

  5. Substituting this into the equation for B:

    T2gextcosθ3gextsinθ=3aT - 2g ext{cos}θ - 3g ext{sin}θ = 3a

  6. We can solve the equations together:

    By eliminating T from the two equations:

    7g(2gextcosθ+3gextsinθ+3a)=7a7g - (2g ext{cos}θ + 3g ext{sin}θ + 3a) = 7a

    Re-arranging gives:

    7g=4a+2gextcosθ+3gextsinθ7g = 4a + 2g ext{cos}θ + 3g ext{sin}θ

  7. By substituting an θ = rac{5}{12}, we find the values of sin and cos:

    ext{sin}θ = rac{5}{13}, ext{cos}θ = rac{12}{13}

  8. Finally, substituting into the equation gives:

    a = rac{2g}{5} ext{ or } 3.92 ext{ m/s}^2.

Step 2

Find the speed of B when it has moved 1 m up the plane.

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Answer

Using the equations of motion for B:

  1. The initial velocity u = 0, the distance s = 1 m, and the acceleration a is already calculated as rac{2g}{5}. The equation used here is:

    v2=u2+2asv^2 = u^2 + 2as

    Substituting our values:

    v^2 = 0 + 2 imes rac{2g}{5} imes 1

    Therefore:

ho{2g}{5} = 2.8 ext{ m/s}$$.

Step 3

Find the time between the instances when the string breaks and when B comes to instantaneous rest.

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Answer

When B has moved 1 m up the plane, the forces on B balance out:

  1. The net force on B at this point is:

    (F+3gextsinθ)=3a-(F + 3g ext{sin}θ) = 3a Therefore:

    rac{2}{3} imes 3g ext{cos}θ + 3g ext{sin}θ = 3a

  2. We substitute the known values:

    rac{2}{3} imes 3g imes rac{12}{13} + 3g imes rac{5}{13} = 3(-a)

    Simplifying gives us:

    t = rac{2}{7} ext{ seconds} ext{ or } 0.286 ext{ seconds}.

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