Edexcel M1 2001 January — Question 3

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2001
SessionJanuary
TopicPulley systems

3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{49169cc3-c353-430f-80ce-e14ae7fcd6ea-3_437_646_305_706} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3}
\end{figure} Two particles \(A\) and \(B\) have masses \(3 m\) and \(k m\) respectively, where \(k > 3\). They are connected by a light inextensible string which passes over a smooth fixed pulley. The system is released from rest with the string taut and the hanging parts of the string vertical, as shown in Fig. 3. While the particles are moving freely, \(A\) has an acceleration of magnitude \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } g\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(m\) and g , the tension in the string.
  2. State why \(B\) also has an acceleration of magnitude \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } g\).
  3. Find the value of \(k\).
  4. State how you have used the fact that the string is light.