Edexcel M1 2021 June — Question 3 9 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2021
SessionJune
Marks9
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicForces, equilibrium and resultants
TypeForces in vector form: equilibrium (find unknowns)
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward M1 vector equilibrium question requiring standard techniques: resolving forces in i and j directions for equilibrium (part a), then applying F=ma with vector addition (part b). The calculations are routine with no conceptual challenges beyond basic mechanics principles, making it slightly easier than average for A-level.
Spec3.03d Newton's second law: 2D vectors3.03n Equilibrium in 2D: particle under forces

3. [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are perpendicular horizontal unit vectors.] Three forces, \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\), are given by $$\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 5 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N } \quad \mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( - 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N } \quad \mathbf { F } _ { 3 } = ( a \mathbf { i } + b \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants.
The forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) act on a particle \(P\) of mass 4 kg .
Given that \(P\) rests in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal surface under the action of these three forces,
  1. find the size of the angle between the direction of \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) and the direction of \(- \mathbf { j }\). The force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) is now removed and replaced by the force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 4 }\) given by \(\mathbf { F } _ { 4 } = \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } )\) N, where \(\lambda\) is a positive constant. When the three forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 4 }\) act on \(P\), the acceleration of \(P\) has magnitude \(3.25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\)
  2. Find the value of \(\lambda\).

3. [In this question $\mathbf { i }$ and $\mathbf { j }$ are perpendicular horizontal unit vectors.]

Three forces, $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$, are given by

$$\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 5 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N } \quad \mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( - 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N } \quad \mathbf { F } _ { 3 } = ( a \mathbf { i } + b \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }$$

where $a$ and $b$ are constants.\\
The forces $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ act on a particle $P$ of mass 4 kg .\\
Given that $P$ rests in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal surface under the action of these three forces,
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item find the size of the angle between the direction of $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ and the direction of $- \mathbf { j }$.

The force $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ is now removed and replaced by the force $\mathbf { F } _ { 4 }$ given by $\mathbf { F } _ { 4 } = \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } )$ N, where $\lambda$ is a positive constant.

When the three forces $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 4 }$ act on $P$, the acceleration of $P$ has magnitude $3.25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }$
\item Find the value of $\lambda$.\\

\begin{center}

\end{center}
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 2021 Q3 [9]}}