Edexcel M1 Specimen — Question 7 15 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
SessionSpecimen
Marks15
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Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicVectors Introduction & 2D
TypeDistance between two moving objects
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a standard M1 kinematics question using vectors with constant velocity. Parts (a) and (b) are routine applications of position = initial position + velocity × time. Parts (c) and (d) require setting up equations (bearing condition and distance formula) but involve straightforward algebraic manipulation. The multi-part structure and 15 marks suggest moderate length, but no novel insight is required—it's a textbook-style exercise slightly easier than average A-level difficulty.
Spec1.10c Magnitude and direction: of vectors1.10d Vector operations: addition and scalar multiplication1.10h Vectors in kinematics: uniform acceleration in vector form3.02a Kinematics language: position, displacement, velocity, acceleration

Two cars \(A\) and \(B\) are moving on straight horizontal roads with constant velocities. The velocity of \(A\) is \(20 \text{ m s}^{-1}\) due east, and the velocity of \(B\) is \((10\mathbf{i} + 10\mathbf{j}) \text{ m s}^{-1}\), where \(\mathbf{i}\) and \(\mathbf{j}\) are unit vectors directed due east and due north respectively. Initially \(A\) is at the fixed origin \(O\), and the position vector of \(B\) is \(300\mathbf{j}\) m relative to \(O\). At time \(t\) seconds, the position vectors of \(A\) and \(B\) are \(\mathbf{r}\) metres and \(\mathbf{s}\) metres respectively.
  1. Find expressions for \(\mathbf{r}\) and \(\mathbf{s}\) in terms of \(t\). [3]
  2. Hence write down an expression for \(\overrightarrow{AB}\) in terms of \(t\). [1]
  3. Find the time when the bearing of \(B\) from \(A\) is \(045°\). [5]
  4. Find the time when the cars are again 300 m apart. [6]

Two cars $A$ and $B$ are moving on straight horizontal roads with constant velocities. The velocity of $A$ is $20 \text{ m s}^{-1}$ due east, and the velocity of $B$ is $(10\mathbf{i} + 10\mathbf{j}) \text{ m s}^{-1}$, where $\mathbf{i}$ and $\mathbf{j}$ are unit vectors directed due east and due north respectively. Initially $A$ is at the fixed origin $O$, and the position vector of $B$ is $300\mathbf{j}$ m relative to $O$. At time $t$ seconds, the position vectors of $A$ and $B$ are $\mathbf{r}$ metres and $\mathbf{s}$ metres respectively.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find expressions for $\mathbf{r}$ and $\mathbf{s}$ in terms of $t$. [3]
\item Hence write down an expression for $\overrightarrow{AB}$ in terms of $t$. [1]
\item Find the time when the bearing of $B$ from $A$ is $045°$. [5]
\item Find the time when the cars are again 300 m apart. [6]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1  Q7 [15]}}