| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2003 |
| Session | January |
| Marks | 6 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Newton's laws and connected particles |
| Type | Single particle, Newton's second law – vector (2D forces) |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward application of constant acceleration kinematics and Newton's second law. Part (a) requires finding acceleration from change in velocity over time (a = Δv/Δt), and part (b) applies F = ma. Both are direct, single-step calculations with vector arithmetic that M1 students practice routinely. No problem-solving insight or multi-step reasoning required. |
| Spec | 1.10d Vector operations: addition and scalar multiplication3.03d Newton's second law: 2D vectors |
A particle $P$ of mass 0.4 kg is moving under the action of a constant force $\mathbf{F}$ newtons. Initially the velocity of $P$ is $(6\mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j})$ m s$^{-1}$ and 4 s later the velocity of $P$ is $(-14\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{j})$ m s$^{-1}$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find, in terms of $\mathbf{i}$ and $\mathbf{j}$, the acceleration of $P$. [3]
\item Calculate the magnitude of $\mathbf{F}$. [3]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 2003 Q3 [6]}}