A box of mass 2 kg is pulled up a rough plane face by means of a light rope - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 4 - 2005 - Paper 1
Question 4
A box of mass 2 kg is pulled up a rough plane face by means of a light rope. The plane is inclined at an angle of 20° to the horizontal, as shown in Figure 2. The ro... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A box of mass 2 kg is pulled up a rough plane face by means of a light rope - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 4 - 2005 - Paper 1
Step 1
a) the normal reaction of the plane on the box
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Answer
To find the normal reaction (R) of the plane on the box, we can use the following formula based on the forces acting upon the box along the direction perpendicular to the plane:
The weight of the box can be resolved into two components: parallel (2gimesextsin(20exto)) and perpendicular (2gimesextcos(20exto)) to the plane.
The equation for the normal reaction is given by:
R=2gimesextcos(20exto)
Substituting the known values (where gext(accelerationduetogravity)extisapproximately9.8extm/s2):
R=2imes9.8imesextcos(20exto)
Calculating this gives:
Rextapproximately18.4extN
Therefore, the normal reaction of the plane on the box is approximately 18 N.
Step 2
b) the acceleration of the box
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Answer
To determine the acceleration of the box, we analyze the forces acting parallel to the plane:
The force parallel to the plane is given by:
Rext(//toplane)=18−2gimesextsin(20exto)−F=2a
where F is the frictional force, which can be calculated as:
F=0.6R
Substituting the value of R obtained from part (a):
F=0.6imes18extN=10.8extN
Now we can substitute F back into the force equation:
18−2imes9.8imesextsin(20exto)−10.8=2a
Solving this equation will yield:
a = rac{(18 - 10.8 - 2g imes ext{sin}(20^ ext{o}}{2}
Finally, calculating will lead to:
aextapproximately0.12extm/s2.