| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2005 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 7 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Forces, equilibrium and resultants |
| Type | Smooth ring on string |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.3 This is a straightforward statics problem requiring resolution of forces in two directions and basic trigonometry. Students apply standard equilibrium conditions (sum of forces = 0) with given angle information. The setup is clear, the method is routine, and it's a typical M1 textbook exercise requiring no novel insight—slightly easier than average A-level questions overall. |
| Spec | 3.03a Force: vector nature and diagrams3.03b Newton's first law: equilibrium3.03e Resolve forces: two dimensions3.03m Equilibrium: sum of resolved forces = 03.03n Equilibrium in 2D: particle under forces |
| Answer | Marks |
|---|---|
| 3 | T |
| Answer | Marks |
|---|---|
| → W = 12 N | M1 A1 |
Question 3:
3 | T
T (a) R(→) T cos α = 6
6 → T = 7.5 N
W
(b) R(↑) T + T sin α = W
Using same T’s and solving
→ W = 12 N | M1 A1
A1
(3)
M1 A1
↓
M1
A1
(4)\includegraphics{figure_1}
A smooth bead $B$ is threaded on a light inextensible string. The ends of the string are attached to two fixed points $A$ and $C$ on the same horizontal level. The bead is held in equilibrium by a horizontal force of magnitude 6 N acting parallel to $AC$. The bead $B$ is vertically below $C$ and $\angle BAC = \alpha$, as shown in Figure 1. Given that $\tan \alpha = \frac{3}{4}$, find
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item the tension in the string, [3]
\item the weight of the bead. [4]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 2005 Q3 [7]}}