Two forces F₁ and F₂ act on a particle P - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 7 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 7
Two forces F₁ and F₂ act on a particle P.
The force F₁ is given by F₁ = (-i + 2j) N and F₂ acts in the direction of the vector (i + j).
Given that the resultant of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Two forces F₁ and F₂ act on a particle P - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 7 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
find F₂
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Answer
To find the force F₂, we first express the known forces:
The force F₁ is given as:
F1=−i+2j
The direction of F₂ is the same as that of the vector (i + j). Hence, we can express F₂ as:
F2=k(i+j)
where k is a scalar.
The resultant force, given as the sum of F₁ and F₂, should act in the direction of (i + 3j):
Fresultant=F1+F2=(−i+2j)+k(i+j)
Simplifying this gives:
Fresultant=(−1+k)i+(2+k)j
For the resultant to be in the direction of (i + 3j), the ratio of its components must equal:
rac{-1 + k}{2 + k} = rac{1}{3}
Cross-multiplying and simplifying, we have:
3(−1+k)=1(2+k)
−3+3k=2+k
2k=5
k=2.5
Substituting k back into the expression for F₂:
F2=2.5(i+j)=2.5i+2.5j.
Step 2
Find the speed of P when t = 3 seconds
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Answer
To find the speed of P at t = 3 seconds, we first calculate the velocity after the specified time. The initial velocity is given as:
v0=(3i−22j)extms−1
The acceleration of P is given by:
a=(3i+9j)extms−2
We can use the equation of motion:
v=v0+at
Substituting the values for t = 3 seconds:
v=(3i−22j)+(3i+9j)imes3
Calculating the acceleration component:
=(3i−22j)+(9i+27j)
=(3+9)i+(−22+27)j
=12i+5jextms−1
Now, to find the speed, we determine the magnitude of the velocity vector:
∣v∣=extsqrt(122+52)
=extsqrt(144+25)=extsqrt(169)=13extms−1
Thus, the speed of P when t = 3 seconds is 13 m s⁻¹.