Edexcel M4 (Mechanics 4) 2010 June

Question 1
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  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are unit vectors due east and due north respectively]
A man cycles at a constant speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) on level ground and finds that when his velocity is \(u \mathbf { j } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) the velocity of the wind appears to be \(v ( 3 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\), where \(v\) is a positive constant. When the man cycles with velocity \(\frac { 1 } { 5 } u ( - 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\), the velocity of the wind appears to be \(w \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), where \(w\) is a positive constant. Find, in terms of \(u\), the true velocity of the wind.
Question 2
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2. Two smooth uniform spheres \(S\) and \(T\) have equal radii. The mass of \(S\) is 0.3 kg and the mass of \(T\) is 0.6 kg . The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane and collide obliquely. Immediately before the collision the velocity of \(S\) is \(\mathbf { u } _ { 1 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(T\) is \(\mathbf { u } _ { 2 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is 0.5 . Immediately after the collision the velocity of \(S\) is \(( - \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(T\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Given that when the spheres collide the line joining their centres is parallel to \(\mathbf { i }\),
  1. find
    1. \(\mathbf { u } _ { 1 }\),
    2. \(\mathbf { u } _ { 2 }\). After the collision, \(T\) goes on to collide with a smooth vertical wall which is parallel to \(\mathbf { j }\). Given that the coefficient of restitution between \(T\) and the wall is also 0.5 , find
  2. the angle through which the direction of motion of \(T\) is deflected as a result of the collision with the wall,
  3. the loss in kinetic energy of \(T\) caused by the collision with the wall.
Question 3
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  1. At 12 noon, \(\operatorname { ship } A\) is 8 km due west of \(\operatorname { ship } B\). Ship \(A\) is moving due north at a constant speed of \(10 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). Ship \(B\) is moving at a constant speed of \(6 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) on a bearing so that it passes as close to \(A\) as possible.
    1. Find the bearing on which ship \(B\) moves.
    2. Find the shortest distance between the two ships.
    3. Find the time when the two ships are closest.
Question 4
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  1. A particle of mass \(m\) is projected vertically upwards, at time \(t = 0\), with speed \(U\). The particle is subject to air resistance of magnitude \(\frac { m g v ^ { 2 } } { k ^ { 2 } }\), where \(v\) is the speed of the particle at time \(t\) and \(k\) is a positive constant.
    1. Show that the particle reaches its greatest height above the point of projection at time
    $$\frac { k } { g } \tan ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { U } { k } \right)$$
  2. Find the greatest height above the point of projection attained by the particle.
Question 5
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5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{60202547-5d12-405f-bc83-2907419ec354-09_413_1212_262_365} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} The end \(A\) of a uniform rod \(A B\), of length \(2 a\) and mass \(4 m\), is smoothly hinged to a fixed point. The end \(B\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string which passes over a small smooth pulley, fixed at the same level as \(A\). The distance from \(A\) to the pulley is \(4 a\). The other end of the string carries a particle of mass \(m\) which hangs freely, vertically below the pulley, with the string taut. The angle between the rod and the downward vertical is \(\theta\), where \(0 < \theta < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\), as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Show that the potential energy of the system is $$2 m g a ( \sqrt { } ( 5 - 4 \sin \theta ) - 2 \cos \theta ) + \text { constant }$$
  2. Hence, or otherwise, show that any value of \(\theta\) which corresponds to a position of equilibrium of the system satisfies the equation $$4 \sin ^ { 3 } \theta - 6 \sin ^ { 2 } \theta + 1 = 0 .$$
  3. Given that \(\theta = \frac { \pi } { 6 }\) corresponds to a position of equilibrium, determine its stability. \section*{L
    \(\_\_\_\_\)}
Question 6
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  1. Two points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on a smooth horizontal table with \(A B = 4 a\). One end of a light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m g\), is attached to \(A\). The other end of the spring is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). Another light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(m g\), has one end attached to \(B\) and the other end attached to \(P\). The particle \(P\) is on the table at rest and in equilibrium.
    1. Show that \(A P = \frac { 5 a } { 3 }\).
    The particle \(P\) is now moved along the table from its equilibrium position through a distance \(0.5 a\) towards \(B\) and released from rest at time \(t = 0\). At time \(t , P\) is moving with speed \(v\) and has displacement \(x\) from its equilibrium position. There is a resistance to motion of magnitude \(4 m \omega v\) where \(\omega = \sqrt { } \left( \frac { g } { a } \right)\).
  2. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 4 \omega \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 3 \omega ^ { 2 } x = 0\).
  3. Find the velocity, \(\frac { \mathrm { d } x } { \mathrm {~d} t }\), of \(P\) in terms of \(a , \omega\) and \(t\).