| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | M2 (Mechanics 2) |
| Year | 2014 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 8 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Work done and energy |
| Type | Projectile energy - basic KE/PE calculation |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward energy conservation question requiring only direct formula application: KE = ½mv², PE = mgh, and energy conservation. All steps are routine calculations with no problem-solving insight needed, making it easier than average but not trivial due to the multi-step nature. |
| Spec | 6.02d Mechanical energy: KE and PE concepts6.02e Calculate KE and PE: using formulae6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle |
An eagle has caught a salmon of mass 3 kg to take to its nest. When the eagle is flying with speed $8 \text{ m s}^{-1}$, it drops the salmon. The salmon falls a vertical distance of 13 metres back into the sea.
The salmon is to be modelled as a particle. The salmon's weight is the only force that acts on it as it falls to the sea.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Calculate the kinetic energy of the salmon when it is dropped by the eagle. [2 marks]
\item Calculate the potential energy lost by the salmon as it falls to the sea. [2 marks]
\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Find the kinetic energy of the salmon when it reaches the sea. [2 marks]
\item Hence find the speed of the salmon when it reaches the sea. [2 marks]
\end{enumerate}
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA M2 2014 Q1 [8]}}