Edexcel M5 2002 June — Question 2 6 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM5 (Mechanics 5)
Year2002
SessionJune
Marks6
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicMoments
TypeThree-dimensional force systems: finding resultant and couple
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This M5 question requires understanding of 3D force systems, couples, and moment calculations using vector methods. Part (a) involves straightforward vector addition to find unknown components, but part (b) requires computing the moment of forces about the origin using cross products in 3D, which is more demanding than typical A-level mechanics. The conceptual understanding of equivalence between force systems and couples elevates this above standard mechanics questions.
Spec3.04a Calculate moments: about a point3.04b Equilibrium: zero resultant moment and force

2. Three forces, \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) act on a rigid body. \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )\) N and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 } = ( p \mathbf { i } + q \mathbf { j } + r \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\), where \(p , q\) and \(r\) are constants. All three forces act through the point with position vector ( \(3 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\) ) m, relative to a fixed origin. The three forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) are equivalent to a single force ( \(5 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) ) N, acting at the origin, together with a couple \(\mathbf { G }\).
  1. Find the values of \(p , q\) and \(r\).
  2. Find \(\mathbf { G }\).

2. Three forces, $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ act on a rigid body. $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )$ N and $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 } = ( p \mathbf { i } + q \mathbf { j } + r \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$, where $p , q$ and $r$ are constants. All three forces act through the point with position vector ( $3 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }$ ) m, relative to a fixed origin. The three forces $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ are equivalent to a single force ( $5 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }$ ) N, acting at the origin, together with a couple $\mathbf { G }$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find the values of $p , q$ and $r$.
\item Find $\mathbf { G }$.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M5 2002 Q2 [6]}}