3.02h Motion under gravity: vector form

414 questions

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OCR M1 2015 June Q1
7 marks Moderate -0.8
1 A particle \(P\) is projected vertically downwards with speed \(14 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) from a point 30 m above the ground.
  1. Calculate the speed of \(P\) when it reaches the ground.
  2. Find the distance travelled by \(P\) in the first 0.4 s of its motion.
  3. Calculate the time taken for \(P\) to travel the final 15 m of its descent.
OCR MEI M1 2009 January Q6
7 marks Standard +0.3
6 Small stones A and B are initially in the positions shown in Fig. 6 with B a height \(H \mathrm {~m}\) directly above A. \begin{figure}[h]
[diagram]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6}
\end{figure} At the instant when B is released from rest, A is projected vertically upwards with a speed of \(29.4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Air resistance may be neglected. The stones collide \(T\) seconds after they begin to move. At this instant they have the same speed, \(V \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), and A is still rising. By considering when the speed of A upwards is the same as the speed of B downwards, or otherwise, show that \(T = 1.5\) and find the values of \(V\) and \(H\). Section B (36 marks)
CAIE FP2 2010 June Q4
10 marks Standard +0.8
4 A small ball \(P\), of mass 40 grams, is dropped from rest at a point \(A\) which is 10 m above a fixed horizontal plane. At the same instant an identical ball \(Q\) is dropped from rest at the point \(B\), which is vertically below \(A\) and at a height of 5 m above the plane. The coefficient of restitution between \(Q\) and the plane is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). Find the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(Q\) by the plane. The balls collide after \(Q\) rebounds from the plane and before \(Q\) hits the plane again. Find the height above the plane of the point at which the collision occurs.
CAIE FP2 2012 June Q4
11 marks Standard +0.8
4 A smooth sphere, with centre \(O\) and radius \(a\), has its lowest point fixed on a horizontal plane. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is projected horizontally with speed \(u\) from the highest point on the outer surface of the sphere. In the subsequent motion, \(O P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\). Show that, while \(P\) remains in contact with the sphere, the magnitude of the reaction of the sphere on \(P\) is \(m g ( 3 \cos \theta - 2 ) - \frac { m u ^ { 2 } } { a }\). The particle loses contact with the surface of the sphere when \(\theta = \alpha\). Given that \(u = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \sqrt { } ( g a )\), find
  1. \(\cos \alpha\),
  2. the vertical component of the velocity of \(P\) as it strikes the horizontal plane.
CAIE FP2 2012 November Q2
7 marks Challenging +1.8
2 A small bead of mass \(m\) is threaded on a thin smooth wire which forms a circle of radius \(a\). The wire is fixed in a vertical plane. A light inextensible string is attached to the bead and passes through a small smooth ring fixed at the centre of the circle. The other end of the string is attached to a particle of mass \(4 m\) which hangs freely under gravity. The bead is projected from the lowest point of the wire with speed \(\sqrt { } ( k g a )\). Show that, when the angle between the two parts of the string is \(\theta\), the normal force exerted on the bead by the wire is \(m g ( 3 \cos \theta + k - 6 )\), towards the centre. Given that the bead reaches the highest point of the wire, find an inequality which must be satisfied by \(k\).
CAIE FP2 2017 November Q11 EITHER
Challenging +1.8
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{9b520e69-a14e-47e5-97d7-998f5145844b-18_552_588_438_776}
A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is free to move on the smooth inner surface of a fixed hollow sphere of radius \(a\). The centre of the sphere is \(O\). The points \(A\) and \(A ^ { \prime }\) are on the inner surface of the sphere, on opposite sides of the vertical through \(O\); the radius \(O A\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the downward vertical and the radius \(O A ^ { \prime }\) makes an angle \(\beta\) with the upward vertical. The point \(B\) is on the inner surface of the sphere, vertically below \(O\). The point \(B ^ { \prime }\) is on the inner surface of the sphere and such that \(O B ^ { \prime }\) makes an angle \(2 \beta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) (see diagram). It is given that \(\cos \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 16 }\).
  1. \(P\) is projected from \(A\) with speed \(u\) along the surface of the sphere downwards towards \(B\). Subsequently it loses contact with the sphere at \(A ^ { \prime }\). Show that \(u ^ { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 8 } a g ( 1 + 24 \cos \beta )\).
  2. \(P\) is now projected from \(B\) with speed \(u\) along the surface of the sphere towards \(B ^ { \prime }\). Subsequently it loses contact with the sphere at \(B ^ { \prime }\). Find \(\cos \beta\).
  3. In part (i), the reaction of the sphere on \(P\) when it is initially projected at \(A\) is \(R\). Find \(R\) in terms of \(m\) and \(g\).
CAIE FP2 2017 November Q11 EITHER
Challenging +1.8
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{1651d08b-b20f-4f2e-9f47-0a1a5d0a839a-18_552_588_438_776}
A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is free to move on the smooth inner surface of a fixed hollow sphere of radius \(a\). The centre of the sphere is \(O\). The points \(A\) and \(A ^ { \prime }\) are on the inner surface of the sphere, on opposite sides of the vertical through \(O\); the radius \(O A\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the downward vertical and the radius \(O A ^ { \prime }\) makes an angle \(\beta\) with the upward vertical. The point \(B\) is on the inner surface of the sphere, vertically below \(O\). The point \(B ^ { \prime }\) is on the inner surface of the sphere and such that \(O B ^ { \prime }\) makes an angle \(2 \beta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) (see diagram). It is given that \(\cos \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 16 }\).
  1. \(P\) is projected from \(A\) with speed \(u\) along the surface of the sphere downwards towards \(B\). Subsequently it loses contact with the sphere at \(A ^ { \prime }\). Show that \(u ^ { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 8 } a g ( 1 + 24 \cos \beta )\).
  2. \(P\) is now projected from \(B\) with speed \(u\) along the surface of the sphere towards \(B ^ { \prime }\). Subsequently it loses contact with the sphere at \(B ^ { \prime }\). Find \(\cos \beta\).
  3. In part (i), the reaction of the sphere on \(P\) when it is initially projected at \(A\) is \(R\). Find \(R\) in terms of \(m\) and \(g\).
CAIE FP2 2017 November Q11 EITHER
Challenging +1.8
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{2ab1a594-6c37-4c78-b53c-33c13bf6eb21-18_552_588_438_776}
A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is free to move on the smooth inner surface of a fixed hollow sphere of radius \(a\). The centre of the sphere is \(O\). The points \(A\) and \(A ^ { \prime }\) are on the inner surface of the sphere, on opposite sides of the vertical through \(O\); the radius \(O A\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the downward vertical and the radius \(O A ^ { \prime }\) makes an angle \(\beta\) with the upward vertical. The point \(B\) is on the inner surface of the sphere, vertically below \(O\). The point \(B ^ { \prime }\) is on the inner surface of the sphere and such that \(O B ^ { \prime }\) makes an angle \(2 \beta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) (see diagram). It is given that \(\cos \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 16 }\).
  1. \(P\) is projected from \(A\) with speed \(u\) along the surface of the sphere downwards towards \(B\). Subsequently it loses contact with the sphere at \(A ^ { \prime }\). Show that \(u ^ { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 8 } a g ( 1 + 24 \cos \beta )\).
  2. \(P\) is now projected from \(B\) with speed \(u\) along the surface of the sphere towards \(B ^ { \prime }\). Subsequently it loses contact with the sphere at \(B ^ { \prime }\). Find \(\cos \beta\).
  3. In part (i), the reaction of the sphere on \(P\) when it is initially projected at \(A\) is \(R\). Find \(R\) in terms of \(m\) and \(g\).
CAIE FP2 2019 November Q4
9 marks Challenging +1.8
4 A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) and \(P\) is held with the string taut and horizontal. The particle \(P\) is projected vertically downwards with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 2 a g )\) so that it begins to move along a circular path. The string becomes slack when \(O P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\).
  1. Show that \(\cos \theta = \frac { 2 } { 3 }\).
  2. Find the greatest height, above the horizontal through \(O\), reached by \(P\) in its subsequent motion. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0f39ff02-a4fc-49ce-b87e-f70bef5a58b6-10_1049_744_260_696} A thin uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\) has mass \(\lambda M\) and length \(2 a\). The end \(A\) of the rod is rigidly attached to the surface of a uniform hollow sphere (spherical shell) with centre \(O\), mass \(3 M\) and radius \(a\). The end \(B\) of the rod is rigidly attached to the surface of a uniform solid sphere with centre \(C\), mass \(5 M\) and radius \(a\). The rod lies along the line joining the centres of the spheres, so that \(C B A O\) is a straight line. The horizontal axis \(L\) is perpendicular to the rod and passes through the point of the rod that is a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a\) from \(B\) (see diagram). The object consisting of the rod and the two spheres can rotate freely about \(L\).
CAIE FP2 2019 November Q4
9 marks Challenging +1.8
4 A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) and \(P\) is held with the string taut and horizontal. The particle \(P\) is projected vertically downwards with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 2 a g )\) so that it begins to move along a circular path. The string becomes slack when \(O P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\).
  1. Show that \(\cos \theta = \frac { 2 } { 3 }\).
  2. Find the greatest height, above the horizontal through \(O\), reached by \(P\) in its subsequent motion. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{4240c99e-10ba-443e-8021-1872e6e64ccf-10_1051_744_258_696} A thin uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\) has mass \(\lambda M\) and length \(2 a\). The end \(A\) of the rod is rigidly attached to the surface of a uniform hollow sphere (spherical shell) with centre \(O\), mass \(3 M\) and radius \(a\). The end \(B\) of the rod is rigidly attached to the surface of a uniform solid sphere with centre \(C\), mass \(5 M\) and radius \(a\). The rod lies along the line joining the centres of the spheres, so that \(C B A O\) is a straight line. The horizontal axis \(L\) is perpendicular to the rod and passes through the point of the rod that is a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a\) from \(B\) (see diagram). The object consisting of the rod and the two spheres can rotate freely about \(L\).
Edexcel M2 2016 June Q6
13 marks Standard +0.3
6. [In this question, \(\mathbf { i }\) is a horizontal unit vector and \(\mathbf { j }\) is an upward vertical unit vector.] A particle \(P\) is projected from a fixed origin \(O\) with velocity ( \(3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j }\) ) \(\mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). The particle moves freely under gravity and passes through the point \(A\) with position vector \(\lambda ( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\), where \(\lambda\) is a positive constant.
  1. Find the value of \(\lambda\).
  2. Find
    1. the speed of \(P\) at the instant when it passes through \(A\),
    2. the direction of motion of \(P\) at the instant when it passes through \(A\).
      HMAV SIHI NITIIIUM ION OC
      VILV SIHI NI JAHM ION OC
      VJ4V SIHI NI JIIYM ION OC
OCR M1 2014 June Q1
7 marks Moderate -0.3
1 A particle \(P\) is projected vertically downwards with initial speed \(3.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) from a point \(A\) which is 5 m above horizontal ground.
  1. Find the speed of \(P\) immediately before it strikes the ground. After striking the ground, \(P\) rebounds and moves vertically upwards and 0.87 s after leaving the ground \(P\) passes through \(A\).
  2. Calculate the speed of \(P\) immediately after it leaves the ground. It is given that the mass of \(P\) is 0.2 kg .
  3. Calculate the change in the momentum of \(P\) as a result of its collision with the ground.
Edexcel M1 Q6
9 marks Moderate -0.3
6. A parachutist drops from a helicopter \(H\) and falls vertically from rest towards the ground. Her parachute opens 2 s after she leaves \(H\) and her speed then reduces to \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). For the first 2 s her motion is modelled as that of a particle falling freely under gravity. For the next 5 s the model is motion with constant deceleration, so that her speed is \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at the end of this period. For the rest of the time before she reaches the ground, the model is motion with constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Sketch a speed-time graph to illustrate her motion from \(H\) to the ground.
    (3 marks)
  2. Find her speed when the parachute opens.
    (2 marks)
    A safety rule states that the helicopter must be high enough to allow the parachute to open and for the speed of a parachutist to reduce to \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) before reaching the ground. Using the assumptions made in the above model,
  3. find the minimum height of \(H\) for which the woman can make a drop without breaking this safety rule.
    (5 marks)
    Given that \(H\) is 125 m above the ground when the woman starts her drop,
  4. find the total time taken for her to reach the ground.
  5. State one way in which the model could be refined to make it more realistic.
    (1 mark)
OCR M2 2007 January Q8
14 marks Standard +0.3
8 A missile is projected with initial speed \(42 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal. Ignoring air resistance, calculate
  1. the maximum height of the missile above the level of the point of projection,
  2. the distance of the missile from the point of projection at the instant when it is moving downwards at an angle of \(10 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal.
OCR M2 2008 January Q1
4 marks Standard +0.3
1 A ball is projected with speed \(12 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of elevation of \(55 ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal. At the instant when the ball reaches its greatest height, it hits a vertical wall, which is perpendicular to the ball's path. The coefficient of restitution between the ball and the wall is 0.65 . Calculate the speed of the ball
  1. immediately before its impact with the wall,
  2. immediately after its impact with the wall.
OCR M2 2008 January Q7
12 marks Standard +0.3
7 A missile is projected from a point \(O\) on horizontal ground with speed \(175 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of elevation \(\theta\). The horizontal lower surface of a cloud is 650 m above the ground.
  1. Find the value of \(\theta\) for which the missile just reaches the cloud. It is given that \(\theta = 55 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Find the length of time for which the missile is above the lower surface of the cloud.
  3. Find the speed of the missile at the instant it enters the cloud.
OCR M2 2009 January Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.3
1 A stone is projected from a point on level ground with speed \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of elevation of \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal. When the stone is at its greatest height it just passes over the top of a tree that is 17 m high. Calculate \(\theta\).
OCR M2 2009 January Q6
15 marks Moderate -0.3
6 A particle is projected from a point \(O\) with speed \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of elevation \(\theta\) above the horizontal and it moves freely under gravity. The horizontal and upward vertical displacements of the particle from \(O\) at any subsequent time, \(t\) seconds, are \(x \mathrm {~m}\) and \(y \mathrm {~m}\) respectively.
  1. Express \(x\) and \(y\) in terms of \(\theta\) and \(t\), and hence show that $$y = x \tan \theta - \frac { 4.9 x ^ { 2 } } { v ^ { 2 } \cos ^ { 2 } \theta } .$$
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{dd23f4a8-f7e7-4f80-bad6-7e9ec21565fc-4_551_575_667_826}
    The particle subsequently passes through the point \(A\) with coordinates \(( h , - h )\) as shown in the diagram. It is given that \(v = 14\) and \(\theta = 30 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Calculate \(h\).
  3. Calculate the direction of motion of the particle at \(A\).
  4. Calculate the speed of the particle at \(A\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{dd23f4a8-f7e7-4f80-bad6-7e9ec21565fc-4_278_1061_1749_543} Two small spheres, \(P\) and \(Q\), are free to move on the inside of a smooth hollow cylinder, in such a way that they remain in contact with both the curved surface and the base of the cylinder. The mass of \(P\) is 0.2 kg , the mass of \(Q\) is 0.3 kg and the radius of the cylinder is \(0.4 \mathrm {~m} . P\) and \(Q\) are stationary at opposite ends of a diameter of the base of the cylinder (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(0.5 . P\) is given an impulse of magnitude 0.8 Ns in a tangential direction.
  1. Calculate the speeds of the particles after \(P\) 's first impact with \(Q\). \(Q\) subsequently catches up with \(P\) and there is a second impact.
  2. Calculate the speeds of the particles after this second impact.
  3. Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted on \(Q\) by the curved surface of the cylinder after the second impact.
OCR M2 2010 January Q6
17 marks Standard +0.3
6 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{8e1225a2-cb98-4b71-a4af-0150f093f852-3_698_1047_1297_550} A particle \(P\) is projected with speed \(V _ { 1 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of elevation \(\theta _ { 1 }\) from a point \(O\) on horizontal ground. When \(P\) is vertically above a point \(A\) on the ground its height is 250 m and its velocity components are \(40 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) horizontally and \(30 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) vertically upwards (see diagram).
  1. Show that \(V _ { 1 } = 86.0\) and \(\theta _ { 1 } = 62.3 ^ { \circ }\), correct to 3 significant figures. At the instant when \(P\) is vertically above \(A\), a second particle \(Q\) is projected from \(O\) with speed \(V _ { 2 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of elevation \(\theta _ { 2 } . P\) and \(Q\) hit the ground at the same time and at the same place.
  2. Calculate the total time of flight of \(P\) and the total time of flight of \(Q\).
  3. Calculate the range of the particles and hence calculate \(V _ { 2 }\) and \(\theta _ { 2 }\).
OCR M2 2012 January Q1
5 marks Moderate -0.8
1 A particle \(P\) is projected with speed \(40 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(35 ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal from a point \(O\). For the instant 3 s after projection, calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity of \(P\).
OCR M2 2012 January Q7
15 marks Challenging +1.2
7 A particle \(P\) is projected horizontally with speed \(15 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) from the top of a vertical cliff. At the same instant a particle \(Q\) is projected from the bottom of the cliff, with speed \(25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal. \(P\) and \(Q\) move in the same vertical plane. The height of the cliff is 60 m and the ground at the bottom of the cliff is horizontal.
  1. Given that the particles hit the ground simultaneously, find the value of \(\theta\) and find also the distance between the points of impact with the ground.
  2. Given instead that the particles collide, find the value of \(\theta\), and determine whether \(Q\) is rising or falling immediately before this collision.
OCR M2 2005 June Q2
6 marks Moderate -0.8
2 A particle is projected horizontally with a speed of \(6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) from a point 10 m above horizontal ground. The particle moves freely under gravity. Calculate the speed and direction of motion of the particle at the instant it hits the ground.
Edexcel AS Paper 2 2020 June Q1
12 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. At time \(t = 0\), a small ball is projected vertically upwards with speed \(U \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) from a point \(A\) that is 16.8 m above horizontal ground.
The speed of the ball at the instant immediately before it hits the ground for the first time is \(19 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) The ball hits the ground for the first time at time \(t = T\) seconds.
The motion of the ball, from the instant it is projected until the instant just before it hits the ground for the first time, is modelled as that of a particle moving freely under gravity. The acceleration due to gravity is modelled as having magnitude \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) Using the model,
  1. show that \(U = 5\)
  2. find the value of \(T\),
  3. find the time from the instant the ball is projected until the instant when the ball is 1.2 m below \(A\).
  4. Sketch a velocity-time graph for the motion of the ball for \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant T\), stating the coordinates of the start point and the end point of your graph. In a refinement of the model of the motion of the ball, the effect of air resistance on the ball is included and this refined model is now used to find the value of \(U\).
  5. State, with a reason, how this new value of \(U\) would compare with the value found in part (a), using the initial unrefined model.
  6. Suggest one further refinement that could be made to the model, apart from including air resistance, that would make the model more realistic.
Edexcel AS Paper 2 2022 June Q1
7 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. The point \(A\) is 1.8 m vertically above horizontal ground.
At time \(t = 0\), a small stone is projected vertically upwards with speed \(U \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) from the point \(A\). At time \(t = T\) seconds, the stone hits the ground.
The speed of the stone as it hits the ground is \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) In an initial model of the motion of the stone as it moves from \(A\) to where it hits the ground
  • the stone is modelled as a particle moving freely under gravity
  • the acceleration due to gravity is modelled as having magnitude \(\mathbf { 1 0 } \mathbf { m ~ s } ^ { \mathbf { - 2 } }\)
Using the model,
  1. find the value of \(U\),
  2. find the value of \(T\).
  3. Suggest one refinement, apart from including air resistance, that would make the model more realistic. In reality the stone will not move freely under gravity and will be subject to air resistance.
  4. Explain how this would affect your answer to part (a).
Edexcel AS Paper 2 2023 June Q2
7 marks Moderate -0.3
  1. A small stone is projected vertically upwards with speed \(39.2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) from a point \(O\).
The stone is modelled as a particle moving freely under gravity from when it is projected until it hits the ground 10s later. Using the model, find
  1. the height of \(O\) above the ground,
  2. the total length of time for which the speed of the stone is less than or equal to \(24.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\)
  3. State one refinement that could be made to the model that would make your answer to part (a) more accurate.