Edexcel M2 (Mechanics 2) 2001 June

At time \(t\) seconds, a particle \(P\) has position vector \(r\) metres relative to a fixed origin \(O\), where $$\mathbf{r} = (t^2 + 2t)\mathbf{i} + (t - 2t^2)\mathbf{j}.$$ Show that the acceleration of \(P\) is constant and find its magnitude. [5]

A uniform ladder \(AB\), of mass \(m\) and length \(2a\), has one end \(A\) on rough horizontal ground. The coefficient of friction between the ladder and the ground is 0.5. The other end \(B\) of the ladder rests against a smooth vertical wall. The ladder rests in equilibrium in a vertical plane perpendicular to the wall, and makes an angle of 30° with the wall. A man of mass \(5m\) stands on the ladder which remains in equilibrium. The ladder is modelled as a uniform rod and the man as a particle. The greatest possible distance of the man from \(A\) is \(ka\). Find the value of \(k\). [9]

The unit vectors \(\mathbf{i}\) and \(\mathbf{j}\) lie in a vertical plane, \(\mathbf{i}\) being horizontal and \(\mathbf{j}\) vertical. A ball of mass 0.1 kg is hit by a bat which gives it an impulse of \((3.5\mathbf{i} + 3\mathbf{j})\) Ns. The velocity of the ball immediately after being hit is \((10\mathbf{i} + 25\mathbf{j})\) m s\(^{-1}\).

1. Find the velocity of the ball immediately before it is hit. [3]

In the subsequent motion the ball is modelled as a particle moving freely under gravity. When it is hit the ball is 1 m above horizontal ground.

1. Find the greatest height of the ball above the ground in the subsequent motion. [3]

The ball is caught when it is again 1 m above the ground.

1. Find the distance from the point where the ball is hit to the point where it is caught. [4]

A child is playing with a small model of a fire-engine of mass 0.5 kg and a straight, rigid plank. The plank is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal. The fire-engine is projected up the plank along a line of greatest slope. The non-gravitational resistance to the motion of the fire-engine is constant and has magnitude \(R\) newtons. When \(\alpha = 20°\) the fire-engine is projected with an initial speed of 5 m s\(^{-1}\) and first comes to rest after travelling 2 m.

1. Find, to 3 significant figures, the value of \(R\). [7]

When \(\alpha = 40°\) the fire-engine is again projected with an initial speed of 5 m s\(^{-1}\).

1. Find how far the fire-engine travels before first coming to rest. [3]

A particle \(A\) of mass \(2m\) is moving with speed \(2u\) on a smooth horizontal table. The particle collides directly with a particle \(B\) of mass \(4m\) moving with speed \(u\) in the same direction as \(A\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac{1}{2}\).

1. Show that the speed of \(B\) after the collision is \(\frac{5}{3}u\). [6]
2. Find the speed of \(A\) after the collision. [2]

Subsequently \(B\) collides directly with a particle \(C\) of mass \(m\) which is at rest on the table. The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(e\). Given that there are no further collisions,

1. find the range of possible values for \(e\). [8]

\includegraphics{figure_2} At time \(t = 0\) a small package is projected from a point \(B\) which is 2.4 m above a point \(A\) on horizontal ground. The package is projected with speed 23.75 m s\(^{-1}\) at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac{4}{3}\). The package strikes the ground at the point \(C\), as shown in Fig. 2. The package is modelled as a particle moving freely under gravity.

1. Find the time taken for the package to reach \(C\). [5]

A lorry moves along the line \(AC\), approaching \(A\) with constant speed 18 m s\(^{-1}\). At time \(t = 0\) the rear of the lorry passes \(A\) and the lorry starts to slow down. It comes to rest \(T\) seconds later. The acceleration, \(a\) m s\(^{-2}\) of the lorry at time \(t\) seconds is given by $$a = -\frac{1}{4}t^2, \quad 0 \leq t \leq T.$$

1. Find the speed of the lorry at time \(t\) seconds. [3]
2. Hence show that \(T = 6\). [3]
3. Show that when the package reaches \(C\) it is just under 10 m behind the rear of the moving lorry. [5]

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