Edexcel M1 2001 January — Question 7

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2001
SessionJanuary
TopicMotion on a slope

7. A sledge of mass 78 kg is pulled up a slope by means of a rope. The slope is modelled as a rough plane inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 5 } { 12 }\). The rope is modelled as light and inextensible and is in a line of greatest slope of the plane. The coefficient of friction between the sledge and the slope is 0.25 . Given that the sledge is accelerating up the slope with acceleration \(0.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\),
  1. find the tension in the rope. The rope suddenly breaks. Subsequently the sledge comes to instantaneous rest and then starts sliding down the slope.
  2. Find the acceleration of the sledge down the slope after it has come to instantaneous rest.
    (6 marks)
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