Edexcel M2 Specimen — Question 1 5 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
SessionSpecimen
Marks5
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicMomentum and Collisions
TypeCollision with vector velocities
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward application of the impulse-momentum theorem with vector addition. Students must apply impulse = change in momentum, add vectors componentwise, then find magnitude using Pythagoras. While it involves vectors, it requires only standard M2 techniques with no problem-solving insight, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.10c Magnitude and direction: of vectors6.03e Impulse: by a force6.03f Impulse-momentum: relation

  1. The vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are perpendicular unit vectors in a horizontal plane. A ball of mass 0.5 kg is moving with velocity \(- 20 \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when it is struck by a bat. The bat gives the ball an impulse of \(( 15 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } )\) Ns.
Find, to 3 significant figures, the speed of the ball immediately after it has been struck.
(5)

\begin{enumerate}
  \item The vectors $\mathbf { i }$ and $\mathbf { j }$ are perpendicular unit vectors in a horizontal plane. A ball of mass 0.5 kg is moving with velocity $- 20 \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ when it is struck by a bat. The bat gives the ball an impulse of $( 15 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } )$ Ns.
\end{enumerate}

Find, to 3 significant figures, the speed of the ball immediately after it has been struck.\\
(5)\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M2  Q1 [5]}}