AQA M3 2015 June — Question 6 18 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2015
SessionJune
Marks18
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicVectors Introduction & 2D
TypeMinimum speed to intercept
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a multi-part M3 mechanics question requiring vector interception analysis with two solutions via the cosine rule, followed by optimization for minimum speed. Part (a) involves setting up relative velocity equations and solving a quadratic, requiring careful geometric reasoning with bearings. Part (b) adds a constraint optimization element. While systematic, it demands strong problem-solving across 13 marks with non-trivial geometric insight and algebraic manipulation beyond routine M3 exercises.
Spec1.05b Sine and cosine rules: including ambiguous case1.10h Vectors in kinematics: uniform acceleration in vector form3.02d Constant acceleration: SUVAT formulae3.02e Two-dimensional constant acceleration: with vectors

6 A ship and a navy frigate are a distance of 8 km apart, with the frigate on a bearing of \(120 ^ { \circ }\) from the ship, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bcd20c69-cace-408c-8961-169c19ff0231-16_451_549_411_760} The ship travels due east at a constant speed of \(50 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). The frigate travels at a constant speed of \(35 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
    1. Find the bearings, to the nearest degree, of the two possible directions in which the frigate can travel to intercept the ship.
      [0pt] [5 marks]
    2. Hence find the shorter of the two possible times for the frigate to intercept the ship.
      [0pt] [5 marks]
  1. The captain of the frigate would like the frigate to travel at less than \(35 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). Find the minimum speed at which the frigate can travel to intercept the ship.
    [0pt] [3 marks] \(7 \quad\) A particle is projected from a point \(O\) on a plane which is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal. The particle is projected up the plane with velocity \(u\) at an angle \(\alpha\) above the horizontal. The particle strikes the plane for the first time at a point \(A\). The motion of the particle is in a vertical plane which contains the line \(O A\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bcd20c69-cace-408c-8961-169c19ff0231-20_469_624_502_685}
    1. Find, in terms of \(u , \theta , \alpha\) and \(g\), the time taken by the particle to travel from \(O\) to \(A\).
    2. The particle is moving horizontally when it strikes the plane at \(A\). By using the identity \(\sin ( P - Q ) = \sin P \cos Q - \cos P \sin Q\), or otherwise, show that $$\tan \alpha = k \tan \theta$$ where \(k\) is a constant to be determined.
      [0pt] [5 marks]
      \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{bcd20c69-cace-408c-8961-169c19ff0231-24_2488_1728_219_141}

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6 A ship and a navy frigate are a distance of 8 km apart, with the frigate on a bearing of $120 ^ { \circ }$ from the ship, as shown in the diagram.\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bcd20c69-cace-408c-8961-169c19ff0231-16_451_549_411_760}

The ship travels due east at a constant speed of $50 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }$. The frigate travels at a constant speed of $35 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Find the bearings, to the nearest degree, of the two possible directions in which the frigate can travel to intercept the ship.\\[0pt]
[5 marks]
\item Hence find the shorter of the two possible times for the frigate to intercept the ship.\\[0pt]
[5 marks]
\end{enumerate}\item The captain of the frigate would like the frigate to travel at less than $35 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }$.

Find the minimum speed at which the frigate can travel to intercept the ship.\\[0pt]
[3 marks]

$7 \quad$ A particle is projected from a point $O$ on a plane which is inclined at an angle $\theta$ to the horizontal. The particle is projected up the plane with velocity $u$ at an angle $\alpha$ above the horizontal. The particle strikes the plane for the first time at a point $A$. The motion of the particle is in a vertical plane which contains the line $O A$.\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bcd20c69-cace-408c-8961-169c19ff0231-20_469_624_502_685}\\
(a) Find, in terms of $u , \theta , \alpha$ and $g$, the time taken by the particle to travel from $O$ to $A$.\\
(b) The particle is moving horizontally when it strikes the plane at $A$.

By using the identity $\sin ( P - Q ) = \sin P \cos Q - \cos P \sin Q$, or otherwise, show that

$$\tan \alpha = k \tan \theta$$

where $k$ is a constant to be determined.\\[0pt]
[5 marks]

\begin{center}
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{bcd20c69-cace-408c-8961-169c19ff0231-24_2488_1728_219_141}
\end{center}
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA M3 2015 Q6 [18]}}