OCR MEI M2 2008 June — Question 3 18 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2008
SessionJune
Marks18
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicMoments
TypeCoplanar forces in equilibrium
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a substantial M2 mechanics question requiring framework analysis using method of joints/sections and equilibrium of rigid bodies with moments. Part (a) involves resolving forces at multiple joints in a pin-jointed framework with non-standard geometry, requiring careful trigonometry and systematic force resolution. Part (b) requires taking moments about a point for a hinged beam system with given constraint (horizontal hinge force), involving surd manipulation. While methodical, it demands strong spatial reasoning, multiple equilibrium equations, and careful bookkeeping across several connected bodies—significantly above average difficulty for A-level.
Spec3.03r Friction: concept and vector form3.03u Static equilibrium: on rough surfaces3.04a Calculate moments: about a point3.04b Equilibrium: zero resultant moment and force

3 \begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)] \item Fig. 3.1 shows a framework in a vertical plane constructed of light, rigid rods \(\mathrm { AB } , \mathrm { BC } , \mathrm { AD }\) and BD . The rods are freely pin-jointed to each other at \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }\) and D and to a vertical wall at C and D. There are vertical loads of \(L \mathrm {~N}\) at A and \(3 L \mathrm {~N}\) at B . Angle DAB is \(30 ^ { \circ }\), angle DBC is \(60 ^ { \circ }\) and ABC is a straight, horizontal line. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-4_538_617_497_804} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.1}
\end{figure}
  1. Draw a diagram showing the loads and the internal forces in the four rods.
  2. Find the internal forces in the rods in terms of \(L\), stating whether each rod is in tension or in thrust (compression). [You may leave answers in surd form. Note that you are not required to find the external forces acting at C and at D.]
\item Fig. 3.2 shows uniform beams PQ and QR , each of length 2 lm and of weight \(W \mathrm {~N}\). The beams are freely hinged at Q and are in equilibrium on a rough horizontal surface when inclined at \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. You are given that the total force acting at Q on QR due to the hinge is horizontal. This force, \(U \mathrm {~N}\), is shown in Fig. 3.3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-4_428_566_1699_536} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.2}
\end{figure} \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-4_296_282_1699_1407} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3.3}
\end{figure} Show that the frictional force between the floor and each beam is \(\frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 6 } W \mathrm {~N}\).
  1. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-5_641_885_269_671} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
    \end{figure} A small sphere of mass 0.15 kg is attached to one end, B, of a light, inextensible piece of fishing line of length 2 m . The other end of the line, A , is fixed and the line can swing freely. The sphere swings with the line taut from a point where the line is at an angle of \(40 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical, as shown in Fig. 4.
    1. Explain why no work is done on the sphere by the tension in the line.
    2. Show that the sphere has dropped a vertical distance of about 0.4679 m when it is at the lowest point of its swing and calculate the amount of gravitational potential energy lost when it is at this point.
    3. Assuming that there is no air resistance and that the sphere swings from rest from the position shown in Fig. 4, calculate the speed of the sphere at the lowest point of its swing.
    4. Now consider the case where
      Calculate the speed of the sphere at the lowest point of its swing.
    5. A block of mass 3 kg slides down a uniform, rough slope that is at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The acceleration of the block is \(\frac { 1 } { 8 } g\). Show that the coefficient of friction between the block and the slope is \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } \sqrt { 3 }\).

Question 3:
Part (a)(i)
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
Diagram with all internal forces present and labelledB1 Internal forces all present and labelled
All forces correct with labels and arrowsB1 All forces correct with labels and arrows (allow internal forces set as tensions, thrusts or a mixture)
Part (a)(ii)
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
A \(\uparrow\): \(T_{AD}\sin30-L=0\), so \(T_{AD}=2L\) so \(2L\) N (T)M1, A1 Equilibrium equation at pin-joint attempted; 1st ans. Accept + or −
\(A\rightarrow\): \(T_{AB}+T_{AD}\cos30=0\), so \(T_{AB}=-\sqrt{3}L\) so \(\sqrt{3}L\) N (C)M1, F1 Second equation attempted; 2nd ans. FT any previous answer(s) used
B \(\uparrow\): \(T_{BD}\sin60-3L=0\), so \(T_{BD}=2\sqrt{3}L\) so \(2\sqrt{3}L\) N (T)M1, A1 Third equation attempted; 3rd ans. FT any previous answer(s) used
\(B\rightarrow\): \(T_{BC}+T_{BD}\cos60-T_{AB}=0\), so \(T_{BC}=-2\sqrt{3}L\) so \(2\sqrt{3}L\) N (C)M1, F1 Fourth equation attempted; 4th ans. FT any previous answer(s) used
E1All T/C consistent [SC 1 all T/C correct WWW]
Part (b)
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
Leg QR with frictional force \(F\leftarrow\); moments c.w. about R Accept only 1 leg considered (and without comment)
\(U\times2l\sin60-Wl\cos60=0\)M1 Suitable moments equation. Allow 1 force omitted
A1a.c. moments
A1c.w. moments
Horiz equilibrium: \(F=U\)M1 A second correct equation for horizontal or vertical equilibrium to eliminate a force (U or reaction at foot). [Award if correct moments equation containing only \(W\) and \(F\)]
Hence \(\frac{1}{2}W=\sqrt{3}F\)E1 This second equation explicitly derived
M1Correct use of 2nd equation with the moments equation
and so \(F=\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{6}W\)E1 Shown. CWO but do not penalise * again
# Question 3:

## Part (a)(i)
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| Diagram with all internal forces present and labelled | B1 | Internal forces all present and labelled |
| All forces correct with labels and arrows | B1 | All forces correct with labels and arrows (allow internal forces set as tensions, thrusts or a mixture) |

## Part (a)(ii)
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| A $\uparrow$: $T_{AD}\sin30-L=0$, so $T_{AD}=2L$ so $2L$ N (T) | M1, A1 | Equilibrium equation at pin-joint attempted; 1st ans. Accept + or − |
| $A\rightarrow$: $T_{AB}+T_{AD}\cos30=0$, so $T_{AB}=-\sqrt{3}L$ so $\sqrt{3}L$ N (C) | M1, F1 | Second equation attempted; 2nd ans. FT any previous answer(s) used |
| B $\uparrow$: $T_{BD}\sin60-3L=0$, so $T_{BD}=2\sqrt{3}L$ so $2\sqrt{3}L$ N (T) | M1, A1 | Third equation attempted; 3rd ans. FT any previous answer(s) used |
| $B\rightarrow$: $T_{BC}+T_{BD}\cos60-T_{AB}=0$, so $T_{BC}=-2\sqrt{3}L$ so $2\sqrt{3}L$ N (C) | M1, F1 | Fourth equation attempted; 4th ans. FT any previous answer(s) used |
| | E1 | All T/C consistent [SC 1 all T/C correct WWW] |

## Part (b)
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| Leg QR with frictional force $F\leftarrow$; moments c.w. about R | | Accept only 1 leg considered (and without comment) |
| $U\times2l\sin60-Wl\cos60=0$ | M1 | Suitable moments equation. Allow 1 force omitted |
| | A1 | a.c. moments |
| | A1 | c.w. moments |
| Horiz equilibrium: $F=U$ | M1 | A second correct equation for horizontal or vertical equilibrium to eliminate a force (U or reaction at foot). [Award if correct moments equation containing only $W$ and $F$] |
| Hence $\frac{1}{2}W=\sqrt{3}F$ | E1 | This second equation explicitly derived |
| | M1 | Correct use of 2nd equation with the moments equation |
| and so $F=\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{6}W$ | E1 | Shown. CWO but do not penalise * again |

---
3
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Fig. 3.1 shows a framework in a vertical plane constructed of light, rigid rods $\mathrm { AB } , \mathrm { BC } , \mathrm { AD }$ and BD . The rods are freely pin-jointed to each other at $\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }$ and D and to a vertical wall at C and D. There are vertical loads of $L \mathrm {~N}$ at A and $3 L \mathrm {~N}$ at B . Angle DAB is $30 ^ { \circ }$, angle DBC is $60 ^ { \circ }$ and ABC is a straight, horizontal line.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-4_538_617_497_804}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Fig. 3.1}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Draw a diagram showing the loads and the internal forces in the four rods.
\item Find the internal forces in the rods in terms of $L$, stating whether each rod is in tension or in thrust (compression). [You may leave answers in surd form. Note that you are not required to find the external forces acting at C and at D.]
\end{enumerate}\item Fig. 3.2 shows uniform beams PQ and QR , each of length 2 lm and of weight $W \mathrm {~N}$. The beams are freely hinged at Q and are in equilibrium on a rough horizontal surface when inclined at $60 ^ { \circ }$ to the horizontal. You are given that the total force acting at Q on QR due to the hinge is horizontal. This force, $U \mathrm {~N}$, is shown in Fig. 3.3.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-4_428_566_1699_536}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Fig. 3.2}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-4_296_282_1699_1407}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Fig. 3.3}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Show that the frictional force between the floor and each beam is $\frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 6 } W \mathrm {~N}$.\\
(a)

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{130d0f63-83ac-484f-9c0b-a633e0d87743-5_641_885_269_671}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Fig. 4}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

A small sphere of mass 0.15 kg is attached to one end, B, of a light, inextensible piece of fishing line of length 2 m . The other end of the line, A , is fixed and the line can swing freely.

The sphere swings with the line taut from a point where the line is at an angle of $40 ^ { \circ }$ with the vertical, as shown in Fig. 4.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Explain why no work is done on the sphere by the tension in the line.
\item Show that the sphere has dropped a vertical distance of about 0.4679 m when it is at the lowest point of its swing and calculate the amount of gravitational potential energy lost when it is at this point.
\item Assuming that there is no air resistance and that the sphere swings from rest from the position shown in Fig. 4, calculate the speed of the sphere at the lowest point of its swing.
\item Now consider the case where

\begin{itemize}
\end{enumerate}\item there is a force opposing the motion that results in an energy loss of 0.6 J for every metre travelled by the sphere,
  \item the sphere is given an initial speed of $2.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ (and it is descending) with AB at $40 ^ { \circ }$ to the vertical.
\end{itemize}

Calculate the speed of the sphere at the lowest point of its swing.\\
(b) A block of mass 3 kg slides down a uniform, rough slope that is at an angle of $30 ^ { \circ }$ to the horizontal. The acceleration of the block is $\frac { 1 } { 8 } g$.

Show that the coefficient of friction between the block and the slope is $\frac { 1 } { 4 } \sqrt { 3 }$.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI M2 2008 Q3 [18]}}
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