CAIE M1 2016 November — Question 3

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2016
SessionNovember
TopicPulley systems

3
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{94c11160-a718-4de5-867a-27c755051fa6-2_312_1207_1320_468} Particles \(P\) and \(Q\), of masses 7 kg and 3 kg respectively, are attached to the two ends of a light inextensible string. The string passes over two small smooth pulleys attached to the two ends of a horizontal table. The two particles hang vertically below the two pulleys. The two particles are both initially at rest, 0.5 m below the level of the table, and 0.4 m above the horizontal floor (see diagram).
  1. Find the acceleration of the particles and the speed of \(P\) immediately before it reaches the floor.
  2. Determine whether \(Q\) comes to instantaneous rest before it reaches the pulley directly above it.