CAIE Further Paper 3 2021 June — Question 3 7 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleFurther Paper 3 (Further Paper 3)
Year2021
SessionJune
Marks7
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TopicHooke's law and elastic energy
TypeVertical elastic string: general symbolic/proof questions
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 Part (a) is a routine 1-mark application of Hooke's law at equilibrium (tension = weight). Part (b) requires energy conservation with elastic potential energy, involving algebraic manipulation of extensions and solving a resulting equation, but follows a standard method for this topic. The multi-step nature and algebraic complexity elevate it slightly above average, but it's a typical Further Maths mechanics question without requiring novel insight.
Spec6.02g Hooke's law: T = k*x or T = lambda*x/l6.02h Elastic PE: 1/2 k x^26.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle

One end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(kmg\), is attached to a fixed point A. The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(4m\). The particle \(P\) hangs in equilibrium a distance \(x\) vertically below A.
  1. Show that \(k = \frac{4a}{x-a}\). [1]
An additional particle, of mass \(2m\), is now attached to \(P\) and the combined particle is released from rest at the original equilibrium position of \(P\). When the combined particle has descended a distance \(\frac{3}{4}a\), its speed is \(\frac{1}{3}\sqrt{ga}\).
  1. Find \(x\) in terms of \(a\). [6]

Question 3:

AnswerMarks
3(a)kmg ( x−a ) 4a
Use Hooke’s Law: 4mg = leading to k =
x−a
AnswerMarks Guidance
aB1 AG. Shown convincingly.
1

AnswerMarks Guidance
3(b)Gain in KE + gain in EPE = loss in GPE B1
1 ×6m× ga + 1 kmg   x+ a −a   2 −( x−a )2  =6mg× a
2 9 2 a   3   3
AnswerMarks
 M1
A1All 3 types of energy included in energy equation.
All terms correct.
AnswerMarks
Simplify and substitute for k from part (a)M1
Obtain linear equation in x and aM1
5
x = a
AnswerMarks Guidance
3A1 (k = 6)
6
AnswerMarks Guidance
QuestionAnswer Marks
Question 3:
--- 3(a) ---
3(a) | kmg ( x−a ) 4a
Use Hooke’s Law: 4mg = leading to k =
x−a
a | B1 | AG. Shown convincingly.
1
--- 3(b) ---
3(b) | Gain in KE + gain in EPE = loss in GPE | B1 | One correct EPE term seen.
1 ×6m× ga + 1 kmg   x+ a −a   2 −( x−a )2  =6mg× a
2 9 2 a   3   3
  | M1
A1 | All 3 types of energy included in energy equation.
All terms correct.
Simplify and substitute for k from part (a) | M1
Obtain linear equation in x and a | M1
5
x = a
3 | A1 | (k = 6)
6
Question | Answer | Marks | Guidance
One end of a light elastic string, of natural length $a$ and modulus of elasticity $kmg$, is attached to a fixed point A. The other end of the string is attached to a particle $P$ of mass $4m$. The particle $P$ hangs in equilibrium a distance $x$ vertically below A.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that $k = \frac{4a}{x-a}$. [1]
\end{enumerate}

An additional particle, of mass $2m$, is now attached to $P$ and the combined particle is released from rest at the original equilibrium position of $P$. When the combined particle has descended a distance $\frac{3}{4}a$, its speed is $\frac{1}{3}\sqrt{ga}$.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{1}
\item Find $x$ in terms of $a$. [6]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE Further Paper 3 2021 Q3 [7]}}
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