Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward differentiation problem requiring students to find acceleration by differentiating the velocity function and solving a simple equation. The calculus is routine (power rule only), and solving 2 - 16/t³ = 0 is algebraically simple. Below average difficulty as it's a standard single-concept question with no problem-solving insight required.
A particle \(P\) moves in a straight line so that its velocity \(v\) ms\(^{-1}\) at time \(t\) seconds is given, for \(t > 1\), by the formula \(v = 2t + \frac{8}{t^2}\). Find the time when the acceleration of \(P\) is zero. [5 marks]
A particle $P$ moves in a straight line so that its velocity $v$ ms$^{-1}$ at time $t$ seconds is given, for $t > 1$, by the formula $v = 2t + \frac{8}{t^2}$. Find the time when the acceleration of $P$ is zero. [5 marks]
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M2 Q1 [5]}}