Edexcel M5 2003 June — Question 3

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM5 (Mechanics 5)
Year2003
SessionJune
TopicMoments

3. \section*{Figure 1}
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{1fa7336c-20aa-45c1-b685-d8e205367227-3_528_755_317_618}
Figure 1 shows a box in the shape of a cuboid \(P Q R S T U V W\) where \(\overrightarrow { P Q } = 3 \mathbf { i }\) metres, \(\overrightarrow { P S } = 4 \mathbf { j }\) metres and \(\overrightarrow { P T } = 3 \mathbf { k }\) metres. A force \(( 4 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) acts at \(Q\), a force \(( 4 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) acts at \(R\), a force \(( - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) acts at \(T\), and a force \(( 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) acts at \(W\). Given that these are the only forces acting on the box, find
  1. the resultant force acting on the box,
  2. the resultant vector moment about \(P\) of the four forces acting on the box. When an additional force \(\mathbf { F }\) acts on the box at a point \(X\) on the edge \(P S\), the box is in equilibrium.
  3. Find \(\mathbf { F }\).
  4. Find the length of \(P X\).