| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M3 (Mechanics 3) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 17 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Simple Harmonic Motion |
| Type | Complete motion cycle with slack phase |
| Difficulty | Challenging +1.2 This is a standard M3 SHM question with elastic strings covering equilibrium, SHM verification, and motion with a slack phase. While it requires multiple techniques (Hooke's law, energy methods, projectile motion), each part follows predictable patterns taught in M3. The slack phase adds mild complexity but is a routine extension. More challenging than basic C3 calculus but typical for Further Maths mechanics. |
| Spec | 4.10f Simple harmonic motion: x'' = -omega^2 x6.02h Elastic PE: 1/2 k x^26.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(0.5g = \dfrac{29.4\times(1.4-l)}{l}\) OR \(0.5g = \dfrac{29.4\times x}{l}\), giving \(x=\dfrac{l}{6}\), \(\dfrac{7l}{6}=1.4\) | M1A1 | Use Hooke's Law to find extension at \(B\); correct equation |
| \(l=1.2\) ✱ | A1cso (3) | Obtain given value for \(l\) with no errors seen |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(0.5g - T = 0.5\ddot{x}\) | ||
| \(0.5g - \dfrac{29.4(x+0.2)}{1.2} = 0.5\ddot{x}\) | M1A1 | Attempt equation of motion using Hooke's law for tension when extension is \(x+0.2\); \(m\) or \(0.5\) allowed; acceleration can be \(\ddot{x}\) or \(a\) |
| \(\ddot{x} = -\dfrac{29.4}{1.2\times0.5}x\), \(\ddot{x}=-49x\) \(\therefore\) SHM | dM1A1 (4) | Re-arrange to form \(\ddot{x}=(\pm)\omega^2 x\); must be \(\ddot{x}\); correct equation and conclusion stated |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(v^2 = 49\left(0.4^2-(\pm0.2)^2\right)\) | M1A1ft | Use \(v^2=\omega^2(a^2-x^2)\) with their \(\omega^2\); amplitude \(=0.4\); \(x=\pm0.2\) |
| \(v = 2.42487\ldots = 2.4\) or \(2.42\ \text{ms}^{-1}\) | A1 (3) | Correct speed at instant string becomes slack; must be 2 or 3 significant figures |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| Motion under gravity: \(0 = 7''\sqrt{0.4^2-0.2^2}''-gt\) | M1A1ft | Use SUVAT for motion under gravity with speed from (c) to find time from \(D\) to string becoming taut again; correct numbers used following through speed from (c) |
| \(t = \left(7\sqrt{0.4^2-0.2^2}\right)\div g = 0.24743\ldots\) | A1 | Correct time, shown explicitly or implied by correct final answer |
| SHM: \(-0.2 = 0.4\cos 7t\) | M1 | \((\pm)0.2=0.4\cos''7''t\) or \(0.4\sin''7''t\) with their \(\omega\) |
| \(t = \dfrac{1}{7}\cos^{-1}(-0.5) = 0.29919\ldots\) | dM1A1 | Solve for time to \(C\); must be radians; depends on previous M mark; correct time |
| Total time \(= 0.29919\ldots+0.24743\ldots = 0.5466\ldots = 0.55\) or \(0.547\ \text{s}\) | A1 cao (7) [17] | Add times for 2 parts of motion; must be 2 or 3 significant figures |
# Question 7:
## Part (a):
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $0.5g = \dfrac{29.4\times(1.4-l)}{l}$ OR $0.5g = \dfrac{29.4\times x}{l}$, giving $x=\dfrac{l}{6}$, $\dfrac{7l}{6}=1.4$ | M1A1 | Use Hooke's Law to find extension at $B$; correct equation |
| $l=1.2$ ✱ | A1cso (3) | Obtain given value for $l$ with no errors seen |
## Part (b):
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $0.5g - T = 0.5\ddot{x}$ | | |
| $0.5g - \dfrac{29.4(x+0.2)}{1.2} = 0.5\ddot{x}$ | M1A1 | Attempt equation of motion using Hooke's law for tension when extension is $x+0.2$; $m$ or $0.5$ allowed; acceleration can be $\ddot{x}$ or $a$ |
| $\ddot{x} = -\dfrac{29.4}{1.2\times0.5}x$, $\ddot{x}=-49x$ $\therefore$ SHM | dM1A1 (4) | Re-arrange to form $\ddot{x}=(\pm)\omega^2 x$; must be $\ddot{x}$; correct equation and conclusion stated |
## Part (c):
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $v^2 = 49\left(0.4^2-(\pm0.2)^2\right)$ | M1A1ft | Use $v^2=\omega^2(a^2-x^2)$ with their $\omega^2$; amplitude $=0.4$; $x=\pm0.2$ |
| $v = 2.42487\ldots = 2.4$ or $2.42\ \text{ms}^{-1}$ | A1 (3) | Correct speed at instant string becomes slack; must be 2 or 3 significant figures |
## Part (d):
| Working/Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Motion under gravity: $0 = 7''\sqrt{0.4^2-0.2^2}''-gt$ | M1A1ft | Use SUVAT for motion under gravity with speed from (c) to find time from $D$ to string becoming taut again; correct numbers used following through speed from (c) |
| $t = \left(7\sqrt{0.4^2-0.2^2}\right)\div g = 0.24743\ldots$ | A1 | Correct time, shown explicitly or implied by correct final answer |
| SHM: $-0.2 = 0.4\cos 7t$ | M1 | $(\pm)0.2=0.4\cos''7''t$ or $0.4\sin''7''t$ with their $\omega$ |
| $t = \dfrac{1}{7}\cos^{-1}(-0.5) = 0.29919\ldots$ | dM1A1 | Solve for time to $C$; must be radians; depends on previous M mark; correct time |
| Total time $= 0.29919\ldots+0.24743\ldots = 0.5466\ldots = 0.55$ or $0.547\ \text{s}$ | A1 cao (7) [17] | Add times for 2 parts of motion; must be 2 or 3 significant figures |
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7. A particle $P$ of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string. The string has natural length $l$ metres and modulus of elasticity 29.4 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point $A$. The particle hangs freely in equilibrium at the point $B$, where $B$ is vertically below $A$ and $A B = 1.4 \mathrm {~m}$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that $l = 1.2$
The point $C$ is vertically below $A$ and $A C = 1.8 \mathrm {~m}$. The particle is pulled down to $C$ and released from rest.
\item Show that, while the string is taut, $P$ moves with simple harmonic motion.
\item Calculate the speed of $P$ at the instant when the string first becomes slack.
The particle first comes to instantaneous rest at the point $D$.
\item Find the time taken by $P$ to return directly from $D$ to $C$.\\
\begin{center}
\end{center}
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M3 2018 Q7 [17]}}