| Exam Board | AQA |
| Module | M3 (Mechanics 3) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Session | June |
| Topic | Dimensional Analysis |
2 A pile driver of mass \(m _ { 1 }\) falls from a height \(h\) onto a pile of mass \(m _ { 2 }\), driving the pile a distance \(s\) into the ground. The pile driver remains in contact with the pile after the impact. A resistance force \(R\) opposes the motion of the pile into the ground.
Elizabeth finds an expression for \(R\) as
$$R = \frac { g } { s } \left[ s \left( m _ { 1 } + m _ { 2 } \right) + \frac { h \left( m _ { 1 } \right) ^ { 2 } } { m _ { 1 } + m _ { 2 } } \right]$$
where \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity.
Determine whether the expression is dimensionally consistent.