OCR MEI Further Mechanics Minor 2022 June — Question 6

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleFurther Mechanics Minor (Further Mechanics Minor)
Year2022
SessionJune
TopicCentre of Mass 1

6 Fig. 6.1 shows a light rod ABC , of length 60 cm , where B is the midpoint of AC . Particles of masses \(3.5 \mathrm {~kg} , 1.4 \mathrm {~kg}\) and 2.1 kg are attached to \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }\) and C respectively. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{9b624694-edb6-4000-838f-3557e078952d-7_241_1056_367_251} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6.1}
\end{figure} The centre of mass is located at a point G along the rod.
  1. Determine the distance AG . Two light inextensible strings, each of length 40 cm , are attached to the rod, one at A , the other at C. The other ends of these strings are attached to a fixed point D. The rod is allowed to hang in equilibrium.
  2. Determine the angle AD makes with the vertical. The two strings are now replaced by a single light inextensible string of length 80 cm . One end of the string is attached to A and the other end of the string is attached to C. The string passes over a smooth peg fixed at D. The rod hangs in equilibrium, but is not vertical, as shown in Fig. 6.2. Fig. 6.2
  3. Explain why angle ADG and angle CDG must be equal.
  4. Determine the tension in the string.