| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | M2 (Mechanics 2) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 7 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Work done and energy |
| Type | Particle on smooth curved surface |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.3 This is a standard energy conservation problem with circular motion. Part (a) requires equating gravitational PE loss to KE gain using basic trigonometry to find the height change. Part (b) applies circular motion (T - mg cos θ = mv²/r) at the lowest point. Both are routine M2 techniques with straightforward calculation, making it slightly easier than average. |
| Spec | 6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle6.05d Variable speed circles: energy methods |
6 Simon, a small child of mass 22 kg , is on a swing. He is swinging freely through an angle of $18 ^ { \circ }$ on both sides of the vertical. Model Simon as a particle, $P$, of mass 22 kg , attached to a fixed point, $Q$, by a light inextensible rope of length 2.4 m .\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{088327c1-acd3-486d-b76f-1fe2560ffaff-5_700_310_466_849}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find Simon's maximum speed as he swings.
\item Calculate the tension in the rope when Simon's speed is a maximum.
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA M2 2012 Q6 [7]}}