| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2002 |
| Session | November |
| Marks | 6 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Forces, equilibrium and resultants |
| Type | Particle with string at angle to wall |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward equilibrium problem requiring resolution of forces in two perpendicular directions with a simple angle (30°). It's a standard M1 textbook exercise with clear setup, requiring only basic trigonometry and simultaneous equations—easier than average A-level questions which typically involve more steps or conceptual challenge. |
| Spec | 1.10a Vectors in 2D: i,j notation and column vectors3.03m Equilibrium: sum of resolved forces = 0 |
1.
\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Figure 1}
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{14703bfa-abd8-4a8d-bc18-20d66eea409e-2_671_829_294_663}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
A particle $P$ of weight 6 N is attached to one end of a light inextensible string. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point $O$. A horizontal force of magnitude $F$ newtons is applied to $P$. The particle $P$ is in equilibrium under gravity with the string making an angle of $30 ^ { \circ }$ with the vertical, as shown in Fig. 1. Find, to 3 significant figures,
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item the tension in the string,
\item the value of $F$.
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 2002 Q1 [6]}}