| Exam Board | OCR MEI |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2015 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 8 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Projectiles |
| Type | Deriving trajectory equation |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.3 This is a standard projectile motion question requiring routine application of SUVAT equations and elimination of the parameter t. All steps are textbook procedures: writing parametric equations, deriving the trajectory by substitution, finding range by setting y=0, and checking a point. The calculations are straightforward with given values (60° angle, 20 m/s speed), making it slightly easier than average despite being multi-part. |
| Spec | 3.02h Motion under gravity: vector form3.02i Projectile motion: constant acceleration model |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| \(x = 10t\) | B1 | Allow \(x = 20\cos 60°\, t\) |
| \(y = 10\sqrt{3}\,t - 4.9t^2\) | B1 | Allow \(y = 20\sin 60°\, t - \frac{g}{2}t^2\) or \(y = 17.3\,t - \frac{9.8}{2}t^2\) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute \(t = \frac{x}{10}\) in equation for \(y\) | M1 | Substitution of a correct expression for \(t\) |
| \(\Rightarrow y = \sqrt{3}\,x - 0.049x^2\) | A1 | Note that this is a given result |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| When \(y = 0\), \(x = \frac{1.732}{0.049}\) (or 0) | M1 | Use of \(y = 0\), or \(2 \times\) time to maximum height |
| The range is 35.3 m | A1 |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| When \(x = 20\), \(y = 1.732 \times 20 - 0.049 \times 20^2\) | M1 | Use of equation of trajectory |
| Height is 15.04 m so passes below the bird whose height is 16 m | A1 | Special Case: Allow SC2 for substituting \(y = 16\) in the trajectory, showing no real roots and concluding height always less than 16 m. Can also be done with equation for vertical motion. |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| When \(x = 20\), \(t = 2\) | ||
| \(y = 10\sqrt{3} \times 2 - 4.9 \times 2^2\) | M1 | Use of equation for the height |
| Height is 15.04 m so passes below the bird whose height is 16 m | A1 |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| The maximum height of the ball is 15.3 m | M1 | A valid method for finding the maximum height |
| Since \(15.3 < 16\), it is always below the bird | A1 |
# Question 5:
## Part (i):
| $x = 10t$ | B1 | Allow $x = 20\cos 60°\, t$ |
| $y = 10\sqrt{3}\,t - 4.9t^2$ | B1 | Allow $y = 20\sin 60°\, t - \frac{g}{2}t^2$ or $y = 17.3\,t - \frac{9.8}{2}t^2$ |
## Part (ii):
| Substitute $t = \frac{x}{10}$ in equation for $y$ | M1 | Substitution of a correct expression for $t$ |
| $\Rightarrow y = \sqrt{3}\,x - 0.049x^2$ | A1 | Note that this is a given result |
## Part (iii):
| When $y = 0$, $x = \frac{1.732}{0.049}$ (or 0) | M1 | Use of $y = 0$, or $2 \times$ time to maximum height |
| The range is 35.3 m | A1 | |
## Part (iv):
| When $x = 20$, $y = 1.732 \times 20 - 0.049 \times 20^2$ | M1 | Use of equation of trajectory |
| Height is 15.04 m so passes below the bird whose height is 16 m | A1 | Special Case: Allow SC2 for substituting $y = 16$ in the trajectory, showing no real roots and concluding height always less than 16 m. Can also be done with equation for vertical motion. |
### Part (iv) Alternative: Using time:
| When $x = 20$, $t = 2$ | | |
| $y = 10\sqrt{3} \times 2 - 4.9 \times 2^2$ | M1 | Use of equation for the height |
| Height is 15.04 m so passes below the bird whose height is 16 m | A1 | |
### Part (iv) Alternative: Maximum height:
| The maximum height of the ball is 15.3 m | M1 | A valid method for finding the maximum height |
| Since $15.3 < 16$, it is always below the bird | A1 | |
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5 A golf ball is hit at an angle of $60 ^ { \circ }$ to the horizontal from a point, O , on level horizontal ground. Its initial speed is $20 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }$. The standard projectile model, in which air resistance is neglected, is used to describe the subsequent motion of the golf ball. At time $t \mathrm {~s}$ the horizontal and vertical components of its displacement from O are denoted by $x \mathrm {~m}$ and $y \mathrm {~m}$.\\
(i) Write down equations for $x$ and $y$ in terms of $t$.\\
(ii) Hence show that the equation of the trajectory is
$$y = \sqrt { 3 } x - 0.049 x ^ { 2 } .$$
(iii) Find the range of the golf ball.\\
(iv) A bird is hovering at position $( 20,16 )$.
Find whether the golf ball passes above it, passes below it or hits it.
\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI M1 2015 Q5 [8]}}