CAIE FP2 2017 June — Question 4 10 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleFP2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2017
SessionJune
Marks10
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicMoments
TypeMoment of inertia calculation
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 This is a multi-step Further Maths mechanics problem requiring parallel axis theorem, center of mass calculations, and energy conservation. While it involves several components and careful bookkeeping, the techniques are standard for FM2 students: applying I = I_cm + md² for each component, finding the system's center of mass using symmetry, and using energy methods. The equilateral triangle geometry is given explicitly, reducing the problem-solving demand. More routine than typical proof-based FM questions but harder than standard single-body mechanics.
Spec6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle6.04c Composite bodies: centre of mass6.04d Integration: for centre of mass of laminas/solids6.05a Angular velocity: definitions6.05b Circular motion: v=r*omega and a=v^2/r

\includegraphics{figure_4} Three identical uniform discs, \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), each have mass \(m\) and radius \(a\). They are joined together by uniform rods, each of which has mass \(\frac{1}{4}m\) and length \(2a\). The discs lie in the same plane and their centres form the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side \(4a\). Each rod has one end rigidly attached to the circumference of a disc and the other end rigidly attached to the circumference of an adjacent disc, so that the rod lies along the line joining the centres of the two discs (see diagram).
  1. Find the moment of inertia of this object about an axis \(l\), which is perpendicular to the plane of the object and through the centre of disc \(A\). [6]
The object is free to rotate about the horizontal axis \(l\). It is released from rest in the position shown, with the centre of disc \(B\) vertically above the centre of disc \(A\).
  1. Write down the change in the vertical position of the centre of mass of the object when the centre of disc \(B\) is vertically below the centre of disc \(A\). Hence find the angular velocity of the object when the centre of disc \(B\) is vertically below the centre of disc \(A\). [4]

Question 4:

AnswerMarks
4(i)I = ½ ma2 + 2 × {½ ma2 + m (4a)2 }
discs
AnswerMarks Guidance
[= (½ + 2 × {33/2)} ma2 = 67 ma2/2]M1 A1 Find MI of discs about axis l
I or I = ⅓(⅓m) a2 + (⅓m) (2a)2 (AEF)
AB AC
AnswerMarks Guidance
[= 13 ma2/9]M1 A1 Find MI of e.g. rod joining one of A,B or A,C about
axis l
(M1 for finding MI of any of the 3 rods)
I = ⅓(⅓m) a2 + (⅓m) (2a√3)2 (AEF)
BC
AnswerMarks Guidance
[= 37 ma2/9]A1 Find MI of rod joining B,C about axis l
I = (67/2 + 37/9 + 2 × 13/9) ma2 = 81 ma2/2A1 Combine to find MI of object about axis l
Total:6

AnswerMarks Guidance
4(ii)h = 4a B1
½ I ω2 = 4 mgh, ω2 = 64g /81aM1 A1 FT Find angular velocity ω when B below A by energy
(FT on I)
AnswerMarks Guidance
ω = (8/9) √(g/a) or 0⋅889 √(g/a) or 2⋅81/√aA1 (requires some simplification for this A1)
Total:4
Question 4:
--- 4(i) ---
4(i) | I = ½ ma2 + 2 × {½ ma2 + m (4a)2 }
discs
[= (½ + 2 × {33/2)} ma2 = 67 ma2/2] | M1 A1 | Find MI of discs about axis l
I or I = ⅓(⅓m) a2 + (⅓m) (2a)2 (AEF)
AB AC
[= 13 ma2/9] | M1 A1 | Find MI of e.g. rod joining one of A,B or A,C about
axis l
(M1 for finding MI of any of the 3 rods)
I = ⅓(⅓m) a2 + (⅓m) (2a√3)2 (AEF)
BC
[= 37 ma2/9] | A1 | Find MI of rod joining B,C about axis l
I = (67/2 + 37/9 + 2 × 13/9) ma2 = 81 ma2/2 | A1 | Combine to find MI of object about axis l
Total: | 6
--- 4(ii) ---
4(ii) | h = 4a | B1 | Find or state vertical change h of centre of mass
½ I ω2 = 4 mgh, ω2 = 64g /81a | M1 A1 FT | Find angular velocity ω when B below A by energy
(FT on I)
ω = (8/9) √(g/a) or 0⋅889 √(g/a) or 2⋅81/√a | A1 | (requires some simplification for this A1)
Total: | 4
\includegraphics{figure_4}

Three identical uniform discs, $A$, $B$ and $C$, each have mass $m$ and radius $a$. They are joined together by uniform rods, each of which has mass $\frac{1}{4}m$ and length $2a$. The discs lie in the same plane and their centres form the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side $4a$. Each rod has one end rigidly attached to the circumference of a disc and the other end rigidly attached to the circumference of an adjacent disc, so that the rod lies along the line joining the centres of the two discs (see diagram).

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Find the moment of inertia of this object about an axis $l$, which is perpendicular to the plane of the object and through the centre of disc $A$. [6]
\end{enumerate}

The object is free to rotate about the horizontal axis $l$. It is released from rest in the position shown, with the centre of disc $B$ vertically above the centre of disc $A$.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{1}
\item Write down the change in the vertical position of the centre of mass of the object when the centre of disc $B$ is vertically below the centre of disc $A$. Hence find the angular velocity of the object when the centre of disc $B$ is vertically below the centre of disc $A$. [4]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE FP2 2017 Q4 [10]}}