Edexcel M3 2006 January — Question 2 8 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2006
SessionJanuary
Marks8
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicVariable acceleration (1D)
TypeVelocity from acceleration by integration
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward M3 variable acceleration question requiring two standard integrations with given initial conditions. While it involves trigonometric functions, the steps are routine: integrate acceleration to find velocity using v=4 at t=0, then integrate velocity to find displacement. The calculation is direct with no conceptual challenges or problem-solving insight required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.08d Evaluate definite integrals: between limits3.02f Non-uniform acceleration: using differentiation and integration

2. A particle \(P\) moves along the \(x\)-axis. At time \(t\) seconds the velocity of \(P\) is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and its acceleration is \(2 \sin \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\), both measured in the direction of \(O x\). Given that \(v = 4\) when \(t = 0\),
  1. find \(v\) in terms of \(t\),
  2. calculate the distance travelled by \(P\) between the times \(t = 0\) and \(t = \frac { \pi } { 2 }\).

2. A particle $P$ moves along the $x$-axis. At time $t$ seconds the velocity of $P$ is $v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ and its acceleration is $2 \sin \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }$, both measured in the direction of $O x$. Given that $v = 4$ when $t = 0$,
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item find $v$ in terms of $t$,
\item calculate the distance travelled by $P$ between the times $t = 0$ and $t = \frac { \pi } { 2 }$.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M3 2006 Q2 [8]}}