| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M2 (Mechanics 2) |
| Marks | 10 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Hooke's law and elastic energy |
| Type | Particle on inclined plane with friction |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.3 This is a straightforward M2 mechanics problem applying energy methods or equations of motion to an object on an inclined plane with resistance. Part (a) requires setting up and solving one equation using work-energy principle (7 marks suggests showing clear working), while part (b) applies the found resistance value to a new angle. The problem is slightly above average difficulty due to the two-part structure and need for careful resolution of forces, but uses standard M2 techniques without requiring novel insight. |
| Spec | 3.03v Motion on rough surface: including inclined planes6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle |
A child is playing with a small model of a fire-engine of mass $0.5$ kg and a straight, rigid plank. The plank is inclined at an angle $α$ to the horizontal. The fire-engine is projected up the plank along a line of greatest slope. The non-gravitational resistance to the motion of the fire-engine is constant and has magnitude $R$ newtons.
When $α = 20°$ the fire-engine is projected with an initial speed of $5$ m s$^{-1}$ and first comes to rest after travelling 2 m.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find, to 3 significant figures, the value of $R$.
[7]
\end{enumerate}
When $α = 40°$ the fire-engine is again projected with an initial speed of $5$ m s$^{-1}$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{1}
\item Find how far the fire-engine travels before first coming to rest.
[3]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M2 Q5 [10]}}