3.03c Newton's second law: F=ma one dimension

248 questions

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OCR PURE Q11
13 marks Challenging +1.2
11 Two balls \(P\) and \(Q\) have masses 0.6 kg and 0.4 kg respectively. The balls are attached to the ends of a string. The string passes over a pulley which is fixed at the edge of a rough horizontal surface. Ball \(P\) is held at rest on the surface 2 m from the pulley. Ball \(Q\) hangs vertically below the pulley. Ball \(Q\) is attached to a third ball \(R\) of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) by another string and \(R\) hangs vertically below \(Q\) (see diagram). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{8c0b68bd-2257-4994-b444-def0b3f64334-7_419_945_493_246} The system is released from rest with the strings taut. Ball \(P\) moves towards the pulley with acceleration \(3.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\) and a constant frictional force of magnitude 4.5 N opposes the motion of \(P\). The balls are modelled as particles, the pulley is modelled as being small and smooth, and the strings are modelled as being light and inextensible.
  1. By considering the motion of \(P\), find the tension in the string connecting \(P\) and \(Q\).
  2. Hence determine the value of \(m\). Give your answer correct to \(\mathbf { 3 }\) significant figures. When the balls have been in motion for 0.4 seconds the string connecting \(Q\) and \(R\) breaks.
  3. Show that, according to the model, \(P\) does not reach the pulley. It is given that in fact ball \(P\) does reach the pulley.
  4. Identify one factor in the modelling that could account for this difference.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2018 June Q4
4 marks Moderate -0.3
4 Fig. 4 shows a block of mass \(4 m \mathrm {~kg}\) and a particle of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) connected by a light inextensible string passing over a smooth pulley. The block is on a horizontal table, and the particle hangs freely. The part of the string between the pulley and the block is horizontal. The block slides towards the pulley and the particle descends. In this motion, the friction force between the table and the block is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } m g \mathrm {~N}\). \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{1513048a-d53b-4b85-82f4-c86e0d81f8f8-3_204_741_1151_662} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
\end{figure} Find expressions for
  • the acceleration of the system,
  • the tension in the string.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2018 June Q7
6 marks Standard +0.3
7 A toy boat of mass 1.5 kg is pushed across a pond, starting from rest, for 2.5 seconds. During this time, the boat has an acceleration of \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). Subsequently, when the only horizontal force acting on the boat is a constant resistance to motion, the boat travels 10 m before coming to rest. Calculate the magnitude of the resistance to motion.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2019 June Q6
7 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Fig. 6 shows a train consisting of an engine of mass 80 tonnes pulling two trucks each of mass 25 tonnes. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{0b1c272a-f0f4-4931-be89-5d045804a7af-4_189_1262_938_246} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6}
\end{figure} The engine exerts a driving force of \(D \mathrm {~N}\) and experiences a resistance to motion of 2000 N . Each truck experiences a resistance of 600 N . The train travels in a straight line on a level track with an acceleration of \(0.1 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Complete the force diagram in the Printed Answer Booklet to show all the forces acting on the engine and each of the trucks.
  2. Calculate the value of \(D\).
  3. The tension in the coupling between the engine and truck A is larger than that in the coupling between the trucks. Determine how much larger.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2022 June Q7
4 marks Moderate -0.3
7 In this question the unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are directed east and north respectively. A canal narrowboat of mass 9 tonnes is pulled by two ropes. The tensions in the ropes are \(( 450 \mathbf { i } + 20 \mathbf { j } ) \mathbf { N }\) and \(( 420 \mathbf { i } - 20 \mathbf { j } ) \mathbf { N }\). The boat experiences a resistance to motion \(\mathbf { R }\) of magnitude 300 N .
  1. Explain what it means to model the boat as a particle. The boat is travelling in a straight line due east.
  2. Find the equation of motion of the boat.
  3. Find the acceleration of the boat giving your answer as a vector.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2022 June Q9
6 marks Moderate -0.8
9 A tractor of mass 1800 kg uses a towbar to pull a trailer of mass 1000 kg on a level field. The tractor and trailer experience resistances to motion of 1600 N and 800 N respectively. The tractor provides a driving force of 6600 N .
  1. Draw a force diagram showing all the horizontal forces acting on the tractor and trailer.
  2. Find the tension in the towbar.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2023 June Q12
8 marks Standard +0.3
12 Points A, B and C lie in a straight line in that order on horizontal ground. A box of mass 5 kg is pushed from A to C by a horizontal force of magnitude 8 N . The box is at rest at A and takes 3 seconds to reach B . The ground is smooth between A and B . Between B and C the ground is rough and the resistance to motion is 28 N . The box comes to rest at C . Determine the distance AC.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2024 June Q10
8 marks Moderate -0.8
10 A boat pulls a water skier of mass 65 kg with a light inextensible horizontal towrope. The mass of the boat is 985 kg . There is a driving force of 2400 N acting on the boat. There are horizontal resistances to motion of 400 N and 1200 N acting on the skier and the boat respectively.
  1. Draw a diagram showing all the horizontal forces acting on the skier and the boat.
    1. Write down the equation of motion of the skier.
    2. Find the equation of motion of the boat.
  2. Find the acceleration of the skier and the boat. The driving force of the boat is increased. The skier can only hold on to the towrope when the tension is no greater than her weight.
  3. Determine her greatest acceleration, assuming that the resistances to motion stay the same.
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 Specimen Q12
9 marks Moderate -0.3
12 A box hangs from a balloon by means of a light inelastic string. The string is always vertical. The mass of the box is 15 kg . Catherine initially models the situation by assuming that there is no air resistance to the motion of the box. Use Catherine's model to calculate the tension in the string if:
  1. the box is held at rest by the tension in the string,
  2. the box is instantaneously at rest and accelerating upwards at \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\),
  3. the box is moving downwards at \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and accelerating upwards at \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). Catherine now carries out an experiment to find the magnitude of the air resistance on the box when it is moving.
    At a time when the box is accelerating downwards at \(1.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\), she finds that the tension in the string is 140 N .
  4. Calculate the magnitude of the air resistance at that time. Give, with a reason, the direction of motion of the box. \section*{END OF QUESTION PAPER}
OCR MEI Paper 1 2018 June Q4
4 marks Easy -1.2
4 Rory pushes a box of mass 2.8 kg across a rough horizontal floor against a resistance of 19 N . Rory applies a constant horizontal force. The box accelerates from rest to \(1.2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) as it travels 1.8 m .
  1. Calculate the acceleration of the box.
  2. Find the magnitude of the force that Rory applies.
OCR MEI Paper 1 2019 June Q5
4 marks Easy -1.2
5 A car of mass 1200 kg travels from rest along a straight horizontal road. The driving force is 4000 N and the total of all resistances to motion is 800 N .
Calculate the velocity of the car after 9 seconds.
OCR MEI Paper 1 2024 June Q2
5 marks Easy -1.2
2 A car of mass 1400 kg pulls a trailer of mass 400 kg along a straight horizontal road. The engine of the car produces a driving force of 6000 N . A resistance of 800 N acts on the car. A resistance of 300 N acts on the trailer. The tow-bar between the car and the trailer is light and horizontal.
  1. Draw a force diagram showing all the horizontal forces on the car and the trailer.
  2. Calculate the acceleration of the car and trailer.
OCR MEI Paper 1 Specimen Q9
8 marks Standard +0.3
9 In an experiment, a small box is hit across a floor. After it has been hit, the box slides without rotation. The box passes a point A. The distance the box travels after passing A before coming to rest is \(S\) metres and the time this takes is \(T\) seconds. The only resistance to the box's motion is friction due to the floor. The mass of the box is \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) and the frictional force is a constant \(F\).
    1. Find the equation of motion for the box while it is sliding.
    2. Show that \(S = k T ^ { 2 }\) where \(k = \frac { F } { 2 m }\).
  1. Given that \(k = 1.4\), find the value of the coefficient of friction between the box and the floor.
OCR MEI Paper 1 Specimen Q14
9 marks Moderate -0.3
14 Blocks A and B are connected by a light rigid horizontal bar and are sliding on a rough horizontal surface. A light horizontal string exerts a force of 40 N on B .
This situation is shown in Fig. 14, which also shows the direction of motion, the mass of each of the blocks and the resistances to their motion. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ff44367e-c992-4e79-b255-5a04e0b8e21e-11_266_1283_664_255} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 14}
\end{figure}
  1. Calculate the tension in the bar. The string breaks while the blocks are sliding. The resistances to motion are unchanged.
  2. Determine
AQA M1 2005 January Q1
7 marks Moderate -0.8
1 A train travels along a straight horizontal track. It is travelling at a speed of \(12 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) when it begins to accelerate uniformly. It reaches a speed of \(40 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) after accelerating for 100 seconds.
    1. Show that the acceleration of the train is \(0.28 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
    2. Find the distance that the train travelled in the 100 seconds.
  1. The mass of the train is 200 tonnes and a resistance force of 40000 N acts on the train. Find the magnitude of the driving force produced by the engine that acts on the train as it accelerates.
AQA M1 2007 January Q2
10 marks Standard +0.3
2 A lift rises vertically from rest with a constant acceleration.
After 4 seconds, it is moving upwards with a velocity of \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
It then moves with a constant velocity for 5 seconds.
The lift then slows down uniformly, coming to rest after it has been moving for a total of 12 seconds.
  1. Sketch a velocity-time graph for the motion of the lift.
  2. Calculate the total distance travelled by the lift.
  3. The lift is raised by a single vertical cable. The mass of the lift is 300 kg . Find the maximum tension in the cable during this motion.
AQA M1 2008 January Q1
6 marks Moderate -0.8
1 A crane is used to lift a crate, of mass 70 kg , vertically upwards. As the crate is lifted, it accelerates uniformly from rest, rising 8 metres in 5 seconds.
  1. Show that the acceleration of the crate is \(0.64 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  2. The crate is attached to the crane by a single cable. Assume that there is no resistance to the motion of the crate. Find the tension in the cable.
  3. Calculate the average speed of the crate during these 5 seconds.
AQA M1 2009 January Q6
10 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Two forces, \(\mathbf { P } = ( 6 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } )\) newtons and \(\mathbf { Q } = ( 3 \mathbf { i } + 15 \mathbf { j } )\) newtons, act on a particle. The unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are perpendicular.
  1. Find the resultant of \(\mathbf { P }\) and \(\mathbf { Q }\).
  2. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant of \(\mathbf { P }\) and \(\mathbf { Q }\).
  3. When these two forces act on the particle, it has an acceleration of \(( 1.5 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 2 }\). Find the mass of the particle.
  4. The particle was initially at rest at the origin.
    1. Find an expression for the position vector of the particle when the forces have been applied to the particle for \(t\) seconds.
    2. Find the distance of the particle from the origin when the forces have been applied to the particle for 2 seconds.
AQA M1 2011 January Q2
10 marks Easy -1.2
2 The graph shows how the velocity of a train varies as it moves along a straight railway line. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f30b02da-a41e-44cb-b45f-9e6a3a9d0528-04_574_1595_402_203}
  1. Find the total distance travelled by the train.
  2. Find the average speed of the train.
  3. Find the acceleration of the train during the first 10 seconds of its motion.
  4. The mass of the train is 200 tonnes. Find the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the train during the first 10 seconds of its motion.
AQA M1 2011 January Q3
13 marks Moderate -0.8
3 A car, of mass 1200 kg , tows a caravan, of mass 1000 kg , along a straight horizontal road. The caravan is attached to the car by a horizontal tow bar, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f30b02da-a41e-44cb-b45f-9e6a3a9d0528-06_277_901_484_584} Assume that a constant resistance force of magnitude 200 newtons acts on the car and a constant resistance force of magnitude 300 newtons acts on the caravan. A constant driving force of magnitude \(P\) newtons acts on the car in the direction of motion. The car and caravan accelerate at \(0.8 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\).
    1. Find \(P\).
    2. Find the magnitude of the force in the tow bar that connects the car to the caravan.
    1. Find the time that it takes for the speed of the car and caravan to increase from \(7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(15 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
    2. Find the distance that they travel in this time.
  1. Explain why the assumption that the resistance forces are constant is unrealistic.
    (1 mark)
AQA M1 2011 January Q8
7 marks Standard +0.3
8 A van, of mass 2000 kg , is towed up a slope inclined at \(5 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The tow rope is at an angle of \(12 ^ { \circ }\) to the slope. The motion of the van is opposed by a resistance force of magnitude 500 newtons. The van is accelerating up the slope at \(0.6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f30b02da-a41e-44cb-b45f-9e6a3a9d0528-22_269_991_513_529} Model the van as a particle.
  1. Draw a diagram to show the forces acting on the van.
  2. Show that the tension in the tow rope is 3480 newtons, correct to three significant figures.
AQA M1 2012 January Q2
9 marks Moderate -0.8
2 A block, of mass 4 kg , is made to move in a straight line on a rough horizontal surface by a horizontal force of 50 newtons, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{d42b2e88-74ea-486b-bb47-f512eb0c185d-2_113_1075_913_486} Assume that there is no air resistance acting on the block.
  1. Draw a diagram to show all the forces acting on the block.
  2. Find the magnitude of the normal reaction force acting on the block.
  3. The acceleration of the block is \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). Find the magnitude of the friction force acting on the block.
  4. Find the coefficient of friction between the block and the surface.
  5. Explain how and why your answer to part (d) would change if you assumed that air resistance did act on the block.
AQA M1 2012 January Q5
7 marks Moderate -0.3
5 A car, of mass 1200 kg , tows a caravan, of mass 1000 kg , along a straight horizontal road. The caravan is attached to the car by a horizontal towbar. A resistance force of magnitude \(R\) newtons acts on the car and a resistance force of magnitude \(2 R\) newtons acts on the caravan. The car and caravan accelerate at a constant \(1.6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) when a driving force of magnitude 4720 newtons acts on the car.
  1. Find \(R\).
  2. Find the tension in the towbar.
AQA M1 2012 January Q6
15 marks Standard +0.3
6 A cyclist freewheels, with a constant acceleration, in a straight line down a slope. As the cyclist moves 50 metres, his speed increases from \(4 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(10 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
    1. Find the acceleration of the cyclist.
    2. Find the time that it takes the cyclist to travel this distance.
  1. The cyclist has a mass of 70 kg . Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the cyclist.
  2. The slope is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal.
    1. Find \(\alpha\) if it is assumed that there is no resistance force acting on the cyclist.
    2. Find \(\alpha\) if it is assumed that there is a constant resistance force of magnitude 30 newtons acting on the cyclist.
  3. Make a criticism of the assumption described in part (c)(ii).
AQA M1 2013 January Q2
9 marks Moderate -0.8
2 Three forces act on a particle. These forces are ( \(9 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j }\) ) newtons, ( \(5 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j }\) ) newtons and ( \(- 7 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j }\) ) newtons. The vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are perpendicular unit vectors.
  1. Find the resultant of these forces.
  2. Find the magnitude of the resultant force.
  3. Given that the particle has mass 5 kg , find the magnitude of the acceleration of the particle.
  4. Find the angle between the resultant force and the unit vector \(\mathbf { i }\).