Questions - Edexcel M5 - A-Level Maths

By writing down an equation of motion of the particle, show that $\mathbf { v }$ satisfies the differential equation $$\frac { \mathrm { d } \mathbf { v } } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 0.5 \mathbf { v } = - 9.8 \mathbf { k }$$ When $t = 0 , \mathbf { v } = ( 4 \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j } + 11.6 \mathbf { k } )$
Find $\mathbf { v }$ when $t = \ln 4$

Edexcel M5 2017 June Q3

The position vectors of the points $P$ and $Q$ on a rigid body are $( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$ and $( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$ respectively, relative to a fixed origin $O$. A force $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }$ of magnitude 6 N acts at $P$ in the direction $( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )$. A force $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ of magnitude 14 N acts at $Q$ in the direction $( 3 \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )$. When a force $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ acts at $O$, which is also a point on the rigid body, the system of three forces is equivalent to a couple of moment $\mathbf { G }$
1. Find $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$
2. Find G
When an additional force $\mathbf { F } _ { 4 } = ( \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$ also acts at $O$, the system of four forces is equivalent to a single force $\mathbf { R }$.
Write down $\mathbf { R }$.
Find an equation of the line of action of $\mathbf { R }$ in the form $\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { a } + t \mathbf { b }$, where $\mathbf { a }$ and $\mathbf { b }$ are constant vectors and $t$ is a parameter.

Edexcel M5 2017 June Q4

A uniform lamina $P Q R$ of mass $m$ is in the shape of an isosceles triangle, with $P Q = P R = 5 a$ and $Q R = 6 a$. The midpoint of $Q R$ is $T$.
1. Show, using integration, that the moment of inertia of the lamina about an axis which passes through $P$ and is parallel to $Q R$, is $8 m a ^ { 2 }$.
2. Show, using integration, that the moment of inertia of the lamina about an axis which passes through $P$ and $T$, is $1.5 m a ^ { 2 }$.
  [0pt] [You may assume without proof that the moment of inertia of a uniform rod, of mass $m$ and length $2 l$, about an axis perpendicular to the rod through its midpoint is $\frac { 1 } { 3 } m l ^ { 2 }$ ]
  (4)
The lamina is now free to rotate in a vertical plane about a fixed smooth horizontal axis $A$ which passes through $P$ and is perpendicular to the plane of the lamina. The lamina makes small oscillations about its position of stable equilibrium.
By writing down an equation of rotational motion for the lamina as it rotates about $A$, find the approximate period of these small oscillations.

Edexcel M5 2017 June Q5

A uniform rod $A B$, of mass $M$ and length $2 L$, is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a smooth fixed horizontal axis through $A$. The rod is hanging vertically at rest, with $B$ below $A$, when it is struck at its midpoint by a particle of mass $\frac { 1 } { 2 } M$. Immediately before this impact, the particle is moving with speed $u$, in a direction which is horizontal and perpendicular to the axis. The particle is brought to rest by the impact and immediately after the impact the rod moves with angular speed $\omega$.
1. Show that $\omega = \frac { 3 u } { 8 L }$
Immediately after the impact, the magnitude of the vertical component of the force exerted on the $\operatorname { rod }$ at $A$ by the axis is $\frac { 3 M g } { 2 }$
Find $u$ in terms of $L$ and $g$.
Show that the magnitude of the horizontal component of the force exerted on the rod at $A$ by the axis, immediately after the impact, is zero. The rod first comes to instantaneous rest after it has turned through an angle $\alpha$.
Find the size of $\alpha$. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3ce3d486-0c4d-4d30-be86-e175b303fda8-19_56_58_2631_1875}

Edexcel M5 2017 June Q6

6. A small object $P$, of mass $m _ { 0 }$, is projected vertically upwards from the ground with speed $U$. As $P$ moves upwards it picks up droplets of moisture from the atmosphere. The droplets are at rest immediately before they are picked up. In a model of the motion, $P$ is modelled as a particle, air resistance is assumed to be negligible and the acceleration due to gravity is assumed to have the constant value of $g$. When $P$ is at a height $x$ above the ground, the combined mass of $P$ and the moisture is $m _ { 0 } ( 1 + k x )$, where $k$ is a constant, and the speed of $P$ is $v$.

Show that, while $P$ is moving upwards $$\frac { \mathrm { d } } { \mathrm {~d} x } \left( v ^ { 2 } \right) + \frac { 2 k v ^ { 2 } } { ( 1 + k x ) } = - 2 g$$ The general solution of this differential equation is given by $v ^ { 2 } = \frac { A } { ( 1 + k x ) ^ { 2 } } - \frac { 2 g } { 3 k } ( 1 + k x )$,
where $A$ is an arbitrary constant. Given that $U = \sqrt { 2 g h }$ and $k = \frac { 7 } { 3 h }$
find, in terms of $h$, the height of $P$ above the ground when $P$ first comes to rest.

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q1

A small bead is threaded on a smooth straight horizontal wire. The wire is modelled as a line with vector equation $\mathbf { r } = ( 2 + \lambda ) \mathbf { i } + ( 2 \lambda - 1 ) \mathbf { j }$, where the unit of length is the metre. The bead is moved a distance of $\sqrt { 80 } \mathrm {~m}$ along the wire by a force $\mathbf { F } = ( 4 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }$. Find the magnitude of the work done by $\mathbf { F }$.
(5)

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q2

2. Three forces $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( a \mathbf { i } + b \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( - \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 } = ( - \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$, where $a$ and $b$ are constants, act on a rigid body. The force $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }$ acts through the point with position vector $\mathbf { k } \mathrm { m }$, the force $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ acts through the point with position vector $( 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$ and the force $\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }$ acts through the point with position vector $( \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$. The system of three forces is equivalent to a single force $\mathbf { R }$ acting through the origin together with a couple of moment $\mathbf { G }$. The direction of $\mathbf { R }$ is parallel to the direction of $\mathbf { G }$. Find the value of $a$ and the value of $b$.

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q3

3. A particle $P$ moves in the $x y$-plane in such a way that its position vector $\mathbf { r }$ metres at time $t$ seconds, where $0 \leqslant t < \pi$, satisfies the differential equation $$\sec ^ { 2 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) \frac { \mathrm { d } \mathbf { r } } { \mathrm {~d} t } + \sec ^ { 3 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) \sin \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) \mathbf { r } = \sin \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) \mathbf { i } + \sec ^ { 2 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) \mathbf { j }$$ When $t = 0$, the particle is at the point with position vector $( - \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }$.
Find $\mathbf { r }$ in terms of $t$.

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q4

4. A uniform lamina of mass $M \mathrm {~kg}$ is modelled as the region which is bounded by the curve with equation $y = x ^ { 2 }$, the positive $x$-axis and the line with equation $x = 2$. The unit of length on both axes is the metre. Find the moment of inertia of the lamina about the $x$-axis.
(6)

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q5

5. At time $t = 0$ a rocket is launched. The rocket has initial mass $M$, of which mass $\lambda M$, $0 < \lambda < 1$, is fuel. The rocket is launched vertically upwards, from rest, from the surface of the Earth. The rocket burns fuel and the burnt fuel is ejected vertically downwards with constant speed $U$ relative to the rocket. At time $t$, the rocket has mass $m$ and velocity $v$. Ignoring air resistance and any variation in $g$,

show, from first principles, that until all the fuel is used, $$m \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} t } + U \frac { \mathrm {~d} m } { \mathrm {~d} t } = - m g$$ The rocket accelerates vertically upwards with constant acceleration $g$.
Show that $m = M \mathrm { e } ^ { \frac { - 2 g t } { U } }$
Find, in terms of $M , U$ and $\lambda$, an expression for the kinetic energy of the rocket at the instant when all of the fuel has been used.

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q6

6. Three equal uniform rods, each of mass $m$ and length $2 a$, form the sides of a rigid equilateral triangular frame $A B C$. The frame is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a fixed smooth horizontal axis $L$ which passes through $A$ and is perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

Show that the moment of inertia of the frame about $L$ is $6 m a ^ { 2 }$. The frame is held with $A B$ horizontal and $C$ below $A B$, and released from rest. Given that the centre of mass of the frame is two thirds of the way along a median from a vertex,
find the magnitude of the force exerted by the axis on the frame at $A$ at the instant when the frame is released.

Edexcel M5 2018 June Q7

7. A pendulum consists of a uniform circular disc, of radius $a$ and mass $4 m$, whose centre is fixed to the end $B$ of a uniform $\operatorname { rod } A B$. The rod has mass $3 m$ and length $4 l$, where $2 l > a$. The rod lies in the same plane as the disc. The pendulum is free to rotate about a fixed smooth horizontal axis $L$ which passes through $A$ and is perpendicular to the plane of the disc. The moment of inertia of the pendulum about $L$ is $2 m \left( a ^ { 2 } + 40 l ^ { 2 } \right)$.

Find the approximate period of small oscillations of the pendulum about its position of stable equilibrium. The pendulum is held with $B$ vertically above $A$ and is then slightly displaced from rest. In the subsequent motion the midpoint of $A B$ strikes a small peg, which is fixed at the same horizontal level as $A$, and the pendulum rebounds upwards. Immediately before it strikes the peg, the angular speed of the pendulum is $\omega$.
Show that $\omega ^ { 2 } = \frac { 22 g l } { \left( a ^ { 2 } + 40 l ^ { 2 } \right) }$ Immediately after it strikes the peg, the angular speed of the pendulum is $\frac { 1 } { 2 } \omega$.
Find, in terms of $m , g , a$ and $l$, the magnitude of the impulse exerted on the peg by the pendulum.
Show that the size of the angle turned through by the pendulum, between it hitting the peg and it next coming to rest, is $\arcsin \frac { 1 } { 4 }$.
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{1242d28a-a4bd-4754-ac49-9b48de95b880-24_2632_1830_121_121}

Edexcel M5 Q1

A bead of mass 0.5 kg is threaded on a smooth straight wire. The forces acting on the bead are a constant force $( 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + \chi \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$, its weight $( - 4.9 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$, and the reaction on the bead from the wire.
1. Explain why the reaction on the bead from the wire does no work as the bead moves along the wire.
The bead moves from the point $A$ with position vector $( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$ relative to a fixed origin $O$ to the point $B$ with position vector $( 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$. The speed of the bead at $A$ is $2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ and the speed of the bead at $B$ is $4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$.
Find the value of $x$.

Edexcel M5 Q2

2. A rod $A B$ has mass $m$ and length $4 a$. It is free to rotate about a fixed smooth horizontal axis through the point $O$ of the rod, where $A O = a$. The rod is hanging in equilibrium with $B$ below $O$ when it is struck by a particle $P$, of mass $3 m$, moving horizontally with speed $v$. When $P$ strikes the rod, it adheres to it. Immediately after striking the rod, $P$ has speed $\frac { 2 } { 3 } v$. Find the distance from $O$ of the point where $P$ strikes the rod.
(7 marks)

Edexcel M5 Q3

3. At time $t$ seconds, the position vector $\mathbf { r }$ metres of a particle $P$, relative to a fixed origin $O$, satisfies the differential equation $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } \mathbf { r } } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 4 \frac { \mathrm {~d} \mathbf { r } } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 3 \mathbf { r } = \mathbf { 0 }$$ At time $t = 0 , P$ is at the point with position vector $2 \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m}$ and is moving with velocity $2 \mathbf { j } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$.
Find the position vector of $P$ when $t = \ln 2$.
(10 marks)

Edexcel M5 Q4

4. Two forces $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ act on a rigid body, where $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$. The force $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }$ acts through the point with position vector $( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }$ relative to a fixed origin $O$. The force $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ acts through the point with position vector ( $2 \mathbf { j }$ ) m . The two forces are equivalent to a single force $\mathbf { F }$.

Find the magnitude of $\mathbf { F }$.
Find, in the form $\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { a } + \lambda \mathbf { b }$, a vector equation of the line of action of $\mathbf { F }$.

Edexcel M5 Q5

5. A spaceship is moving in deep space with no external forces acting on it. Initially it has total mass $M$ and is moving with speed $V$. The spaceship reduces its speed to $\frac { 2 } { 3 } V$ by ejecting fuel from its front end with a speed of $c$ relative to itself and in the same direction as its own motion. Find the mass of fuel ejected.
(11 marks)

Edexcel M5 Q6

6. (a) Show by integration that the moment of inertia of a uniform disc, of mass $m$ and radius $a$, about an axis through the centre of disc and perpendicular to the plane of the disc is $\frac { 1 } { 2 } m a ^ { 2 }$.
(3 marks) \begin{figure}[h]

\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4e874199-105a-460f-af7c-da0ef1603933-4_887_591_997_812}

\end{figure} A uniform rod $A B$ has mass $3 m$ and length $2 a$. A uniform disc, of mass $4 m$ and radius $\frac { 1 } { 2 } a$, is attached to the rod with the centre of the disc lying on the rod a distance $\frac { 3 } { 2 } a$ from $A$. The rod lies in the plane of the disc, as shown in Fig. 1. The disc and rod together form a pendulum which is free to rotate about a fixed smooth horizontal axis $L$ which passes through $A$ and is perpendicular to the plane of the pendulum.
(b) Show that the moment of inertia of the pendulum about $L$ is $\frac { 27 } { 2 } m a ^ { 2 }$. The pendulum makes small oscillations about its position of stable equilibrium.
(c) Show that the motion of the pendulum is approximately simple harmonic, and find the period of the oscillations.
(6 marks)

Edexcel M5 Q7

7. A uniform sphere, of mass $m$ and radius $a$, is free to rotate about a smooth fixed horizontal axis $L$ which forms a tangent to the sphere. The sphere is hanging in equilibrium below the axis when it receives an impulse, causing it to rotate about $L$ with an initial angular velocity of $\sqrt { \frac { 18 g } { 7 a } }$. Show that, when the sphere has turned through an angle $\theta$,

the angular speed $\omega$ of the sphere is given by $\omega ^ { 2 } = \frac { 2 g } { 7 a } ( 4 + 5 \cos \theta )$,
the angular acceleration of the sphere has magnitude $\frac { 5 g } { 7 a } \sin \theta$.
Hence find the magnitude of the force exerted by the axis on the sphere when the sphere comes to instantaneous rest for the first time. END

Edexcel M5 Specimen Q1

A bead of mass 0.125 kg is threaded on a smooth straight horizontal wire. The bead moves from rest at the point $A$ with position vector ( $2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }$ ) m relative to a fixed origin $O$ to a point $B$ with position vector ( $3 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }$ ) m relative to $O$ under the action of a force $\mathbf { F } = ( 14 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } )$ N. Find
1. the work done by $\mathbf { F }$ as the bead moves from $A$ to $B$,
2. the speed of the bead at $B$.
3. (a) Prove, using integration, that the moment of inertia of a uniform rod, of mass $m$ and length $2 a$, about an axis perpendicular to the rod through its centre is $\frac { 1 } { 3 } m a ^ { 2 }$.
  (3)
A uniform wire of mass $4 m$ and length $8 a$ is bent into the shape of a square.
Find the moment of inertia of the square about the axis through the centre of the square perpendicular to its plane.
(4)

Edexcel M5 Specimen Q3

3. Two forces $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }$ and $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }$ and a couple $\mathbf { G }$ act on a rigid body. The force $\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }$ acts through the point with position vector $2 \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m}$ relative to a fixed origin $O$. The force $\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }$ acts through the point with position vector $( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }$ relative to $O$. The forces and couple are equivalent to a single force $\mathbf { F }$ acting through $O$.

Find $\mathbf { F }$.
Find G.

Edexcel M5 Specimen Q4

4. A uniform circular disc, of mass $2 m$ and radius $a$, is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a fixed, smooth horizontal axis through a point of its circumference. The axis is perpendicular to the plane of the disc. The disc hangs in equilibrium. A particle $P$ of mass $m$ is moving horizontally in the same plane as the disc with speed $\sqrt { } ( 20 \mathrm { ag } )$. The particle strikes, and adheres to, the disc at one end of its horizontal diameter.

Find the angular speed of the disc immediately after $P$ strikes it.
Verify that the disc will turn through an angle of $90 ^ { \circ }$ before first coming to instantaneous rest.

Edexcel M5 Specimen Q5

5. A uniform square lamina $A B C D$ of side $a$ and mass $m$ is free to rotate in vertical plane about a horizontal axis through $A$. The axis is perpendicular to the plane of the lamina. The lamina is released from rest when $t = 0$ and $A C$ makes a small angle with the downward vertical through $A$.

Show that the moment of inertia of the lamina about the axis is $\frac { 2 } { 3 } m a ^ { 2 }$.
Show that the motion of the lamina is approximately simple harmonic.
Find the time $t$ when $A C$ is first vertical.

Edexcel M5 Specimen Q6

6. A uniform rod $A B$ of mass $m$ and length $4 a$ is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis through the point $O$ of the rod, where $O A = a$. The rod is slightly disturbed from rest when $B$ is vertically above $A$.

Find the magnitude of the angular acceleration of the rod when it is horizontal.
Find the angular speed of the rod when it is horizontal.
Calculate the magnitude of the force acting on the rod at $O$ when the rod is horizontal.
(5)

Edexcel M5 Specimen Q7

7. As a hailstone falls under gravity in still air, its mass increases. At time $t$ the mass of the hailstone is $m$. The hailstone is modelled as a uniform sphere of radius $r$ such that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } r } { \mathrm {~d} t } = k r$$ where $k$ is a positive constant.

Show that $\frac { \mathrm { d } m } { \mathrm {~d} t } = 3 \mathrm {~km}$. Assuming that there is no air resistance,
show that the speed $v$ of the hailstone at time $t$ satisfies $$\frac { \mathrm { d } v } { \mathrm {~d} t } = g - 3 k v$$ Given that the speed of the hailstone at time $t = 0$ is $u$,
find an expression for $v$ in terms of $t$.
Hence show that the speed of the hailstone approaches the limiting value $\frac { g } { 3 k }$.

Questions — Edexcel M5 (158 questions)

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Edexcel M5 2017 June Q2

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