Edexcel M4 2016 June — Question 4 12 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM4 (Mechanics 4)
Year2016
SessionJune
Marks12
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicSecond order differential equations
TypeModeling context with interpretation
DifficultyStandard +0.3 Part (a) is straightforward application of Newton's second law with given forces. Parts (b) and (c) require differentiating the given solution, applying initial conditions, and solving simultaneous equations—standard A-level mechanics techniques with no novel insight required. The critical damping context and given solution remove the hardest aspects of second-order DEs.
Spec4.10d Second order homogeneous: auxiliary equation method4.10e Second order non-homogeneous: complementary + particular integral

4. A particle \(P\) of mass 9 kg moves along the horizontal positive \(x\)-axis under the action of a force directed towards the origin. At time \(t\) seconds, the displacement of \(P\) from \(O\) is \(x\) metres, \(P\) is moving with speed \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the force has magnitude \(16 x\) newtons. The particle \(P\) is also subject to a resistive force of magnitude \(24 v\) newtons.
  1. Show that the equation of motion of \(P\) is $$9 \frac { \mathrm {~d} ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 24 \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 16 x = 0$$ It is given that the general solution of this differential equation is $$x = \mathrm { e } ^ { - \frac { 4 } { 3 } t } ( A t + B )$$ where \(A\) and \(B\) are arbitrary constants.
    When \(t = \frac { 3 } { 4 } , P\) is travelling towards \(O\) with its maximum speed of \(8 \mathrm { e } ^ { - 1 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(x = d\).
  2. Find the value of \(d\).
  3. Find the value of \(x\) when \(t = 0\)

4. A particle $P$ of mass 9 kg moves along the horizontal positive $x$-axis under the action of a force directed towards the origin. At time $t$ seconds, the displacement of $P$ from $O$ is $x$ metres, $P$ is moving with speed $v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ and the force has magnitude $16 x$ newtons. The particle $P$ is also subject to a resistive force of magnitude $24 v$ newtons.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that the equation of motion of $P$ is

$$9 \frac { \mathrm {~d} ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 24 \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 16 x = 0$$

It is given that the general solution of this differential equation is

$$x = \mathrm { e } ^ { - \frac { 4 } { 3 } t } ( A t + B )$$

where $A$ and $B$ are arbitrary constants.\\
When $t = \frac { 3 } { 4 } , P$ is travelling towards $O$ with its maximum speed of $8 \mathrm { e } ^ { - 1 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ and $x = d$.
\item Find the value of $d$.
\item Find the value of $x$ when $t = 0$
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M4 2016 Q4 [12]}}