| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Session | Specimen |
| Marks | 7 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Forces, equilibrium and resultants |
| Type | Particle with string at angle to wall |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward two-force equilibrium problem requiring resolution of forces in perpendicular directions and basic trigonometry. Students apply standard methods (resolve horizontally for tension, then vertically for weight) with no conceptual challenges beyond routine M1 content. |
| Spec | 1.05j Trigonometric identities: tan=sin/cos and sin^2+cos^2=13.03e Resolve forces: two dimensions3.03n Equilibrium in 2D: particle under forces |
\includegraphics{figure_1}
A tennis ball $P$ is attached to one end of a light inextensible string, the other end of the string being attached to a the top of a fixed vertical pole. A girl applies a horizontal force of magnitude 50 N to $P$, and $P$ is in equilibrium under gravity with the string making an angle of $40°$ with the pole, as shown in Fig. 1.
By modelling the ball as a particle find, to 3 significant figures,
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item the tension in the string, [3]
\item the weight of $P$. [4]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 Q1 [7]}}