OCR MEI M2 2006 January — Question 4

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2006
SessionJanuary
TopicWork, energy and Power 2

4 A block of mass 20 kg is pulled by a light, horizontal string over a rough, horizontal plane. During 6 seconds, the work done against resistances is 510 J and the speed of the block increases from \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Calculate the power of the pulling force. The block is now put on a rough plane that is at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 5 }\). The frictional resistance to sliding is \(11 g \mathrm {~N}\). A light string parallel to the plane is connected to the block. The string passes over a smooth pulley and is connected to a freely hanging sphere of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\), as shown in Fig. 4. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c1785fde-a6ce-4f8b-9948-4b4dd973ce84-6_348_855_847_605} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
    \end{figure} In parts (ii) and (iii), the sphere is pulled downwards and then released when travelling at a speed of \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) vertically downwards. The block never reaches the pulley.
  2. Suppose that \(m = 5\) and that after the sphere is released the block moves \(x \mathrm {~m}\) up the plane before coming to rest.
    (A) Find an expression in terms of \(x\) for the change in gravitational potential energy of the system, stating whether this is a gain or a loss.
    (B) Find an expression in terms of \(x\) for the work done against friction.
    (C) Making use of your answers to parts (A) and (B), find the value of \(x\).
  3. Suppose instead that \(m = 15\). Calculate the speed of the sphere when it has fallen a distance 0.5 m from its point of release.