| Exam Board | CAIE |
|---|---|
| Module | M2 (Mechanics 2) |
| Year | 2015 |
| Session | November |
| Marks | 9 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Centre of Mass 1 |
| Type | Lamina with removed circle/semicircle |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.3 This is a standard centre of mass question requiring systematic application of the formula for composite bodies with holes. Students must calculate areas, apply the centre of mass formula twice (for x and y coordinates), then use equilibrium conditions. While it involves multiple steps and careful bookkeeping of signs/coordinates, it follows a well-practiced procedure with no novel insight required. The equilibrium part is straightforward once the centre of mass is found. |
| Spec | 6.04c Composite bodies: centre of mass6.04d Integration: for centre of mass of laminas/solids6.04e Rigid body equilibrium: coplanar forces |
\begin{tikzpicture}[>=Stealth, scale=2.5]
% Coordinates
\coordinate (O) at (0,0);
\coordinate (A) at (-0.5,0);
\coordinate (B) at (0,-0.7);
% Main disc (filled light gray)
\fill[gray!20] (O) circle (1.2);
\draw[thick] (O) circle (1.2);
% Hole at A (white to represent hole)
\fill[white] (A) circle (0.3);
\draw[thick] (A) circle (0.3);
% Hole at B (white to represent hole)
\fill[white] (B) circle (0.4);
\draw[thick] (B) circle (0.4);
% Axes
\draw[->] (-1.5,0) -- (1.5,0) node[right] {$x$};
\draw[->] (0,-1.5) -- (0,1.5) node[above] {$y$};
% Radius dashed line from O to upper right edge
\draw[dashed] (O) -- (45:1.2);
\node[above right] at (0.42,0.42) {$1.2\,\mathrm{m}$};
% Label O
\node[above right, xshift=1pt, yshift=1pt] at (O) {$O$};
% Label A
\node[above left, xshift=-1pt] at (A) {$A$};
% Label B
\node[right, xshift=3pt] at (B) {$B$};
% Small dot at O
\fill (O) circle (0.02);
\end{tikzpicture}
A uniform circular disc has centre $O$ and radius $1.2\text{ m}$. The centre of the disc is at the origin of $x$- and $y$-axes. Two circular holes with centres at $A$ and $B$ are made in the disc (see diagram). The point $A$ is on the negative $x$-axis with $OA = 0.5\text{ m}$. The point $B$ is on the negative $y$-axis with $OB = 0.7\text{ m}$. The hole with centre $A$ has radius $0.3\text{ m}$ and the hole with centre $B$ has radius $0.4\text{ m}$. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the object from
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item the $x$-axis, [4]
\item the $y$-axis. [3]
\end{enumerate}
The object can rotate freely in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis through $O$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{2}
\item Calculate the angle which $OA$ makes with the vertical when the object rests in equilibrium. [2]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE M2 2015 Q6 [9]}}