6.02m Variable force power: using scalar product

94 questions

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE FP2 2009 June Q1
5 marks Challenging +1.2
1 A line \(O P\) of fixed length \(l\) rotates in a plane about the fixed point \(O\). At time \(t = 0\), the line is at the position \(O A\). At time \(t\), angle \(A O P = \theta\) radians and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } \theta } { \mathrm { d } t } = \sin \theta\). Show that, for all \(t\), the magnitude of the acceleration of \(P\) is equal to the magnitude of its velocity.
Edexcel M2 2016 June Q2
10 marks Standard +0.3
2. A car of mass 800 kg is moving on a straight road which is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \theta = \frac { 1 } { 20 }\). The resistance to the motion of the car from non-gravitational forces is modelled as a constant force of magnitude \(R\) newtons. When the car is moving up the road at a constant speed of \(12.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\), the engine of the car is working at a constant rate of \(3 P\) watts. When the car is moving down the road at a constant speed of \(12.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\), the engine of the car is working at a constant rate of \(P\) watts.
  1. Find
    1. the value of \(P\),
    2. the value of \(R\).
      (6) When the car is moving up the road at \(12.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) the engine is switched off and the car comes to rest, without braking, in a distance \(d\) metres. The resistance to the motion of the car from non-gravitational forces is still modelled as a constant force of magnitude \(R\) newtons.
  2. Use the work-energy principle to find the value of \(d\).
OCR M2 2011 January Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2 The resistance to the motion of a car is \(k v ^ { \frac { 3 } { 2 } } \mathrm {~N}\), where \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) is the car's speed and \(k\) is a constant. The power exerted by the car's engine is 15000 W , and the car has constant speed \(25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) along a horizontal road.
  1. Show that \(k = 4.8\). With the engine operating at a much lower power, the car descends a hill of inclination \(\alpha\), where \(\sin \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 15 }\). At an instant when the speed of the car is \(16 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), its acceleration is \(0.3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  2. Given that the mass of the car is 700 kg , calculate the power of the engine. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{941c0c81-a74f-49c0-acb7-1c23266fc2c8-02_579_447_1658_849} A particle \(P\) of mass 0.4 kg is attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings which are both taut. The other end of the longer string is attached to a fixed point \(A\), and the other end of the shorter string is attached to a fixed point \(B\), which is vertically below \(A\). The string \(A P\) makes an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical and is 0.5 m long. The string \(B P\) makes an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical. \(P\) moves with constant angular speed in a horizontal circle with centre vertically below \(B\) (see diagram). The tension in the string \(A P\) is twice the tension in the string \(B P\). Calculate
OCR M2 2012 January Q5
12 marks Standard +0.3
5 A car of mass 1500 kg travels up a line of greatest slope of a straight road inclined at \(5 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The power of the car's engine is constant and equal to 25 kW and the resistance to the motion of the car is constant and equal to 750 N . The car passes through point \(A\) with speed \(10 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Find the acceleration of the car at \(A\). The car later passes through a point \(B\) with speed \(20 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The car takes 28s to travel from \(A\) to \(B\).
  2. Find the distance \(A B\).
OCR Further Mechanics AS 2020 November Q4
12 marks Moderate -0.3
4 A particle \(P\) of mass 2.4 kg is moving in a straight line \(O A\) on a horizontal plane. \(P\) is acted on by a force of magnitude 30 N in the direction of motion. The distance \(O A\) is 10 m .
  1. Find the work done by this force as \(P\) moves from \(O\) to \(A\). The motion of \(P\) is resisted by a constant force of magnitude \(R \mathrm {~N}\). The velocity of \(P\) increases from \(12 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at \(O\) to \(18 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at \(A\).
  2. Find the value of \(R\).
  3. Find the average power used in overcoming the resistance force on \(P\) as it moves from \(O\) to \(A\). When \(P\) reaches \(A\) it collides directly with a particle \(Q\) of mass 1.6 kg which was at rest at \(A\) before the collision. The impulse exerted on \(Q\) by \(P\) as a result of the collision is 17.28 Ns .
    1. Find the speed of \(Q\) after the collision.
    2. Hence show that the collision is inelastic.
OCR Further Mechanics AS 2021 November Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2 A car has a mass of 800 kg . The engine of the car is working at a constant power of 15 kW . In an initial model of the motion of the car it is assumed that the car is subject to a constant resistive force of magnitude \(R N\). The car is initially driven on a straight horizontal road. At the instant that its speed is \(20 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) its acceleration is \(0.4 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Show that \(R = 430\).
  2. Hence find the maximum constant speed at which the car can be driven along this road, according to the initial model. In a revised model the resistance to the motion of the car at any instant is assumed to be 60 v where \(v\) is the speed of the car at that instant. The car is now driven up a straight road which is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) above the horizontal where \(\sin \alpha = 0.2\).
  3. Determine the speed of the car at the instant that its acceleration is \(0.15 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\) up the slope, according to the revised model.
OCR Further Mechanics 2019 June Q3
13 marks Standard +0.3
3 A particle \(Q\) of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) is acted on by a single force so that it moves with constant acceleration \(\mathbf { a } = \binom { 1 } { 2 } \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\). Initially \(Q\) is at the point \(O\) and is moving with velocity \(\mathbf { u } = \binom { 2 } { - 5 } \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). After \(Q\) has been moving for 5 seconds it reaches the point \(A\).
  1. Use the equation \(\mathbf { v . v } = \mathbf { u . u } + 2 \mathbf { a x }\) to show that at \(A\) the kinetic energy of \(Q\) is 37 m J .
    1. Show that the power initially generated by the force is - 8 mW .
    2. The power in part (b)(i) is negative. Explain what this means about the initial motion of \(Q\).
    1. Find the time at which the power generated by the force is instantaneously zero.
    2. Find the minimum kinetic energy of \(Q\) in terms of \(m\).
OCR Further Mechanics 2022 June Q1
7 marks Standard +0.3
1 A car has mass 1200 kg . The total resistance to the car's motion is constant and equal to 250 N .
  1. The car is driven along a straight horizontal road with its engine working at 10 kW . Find the acceleration of the car at the instant that its speed is \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The maximum power that the car's engine can generate is 20 kW .
  2. Find the greatest constant speed at which the car can be driven along a straight horizontal road. The car is driven up a straight road which is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal where \(\sin \theta = 0.05\).
  3. Find the greatest constant speed at which the car can be driven up this road.
AQA M2 2013 January Q3
5 marks Moderate -0.3
3 A van, of mass 1500 kg , travels at a constant speed of \(22 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) up a slope inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \theta = \frac { 1 } { 25 }\). The van experiences a resistance force of 8000 N .
Find the power output of the van's engine, giving your answer in kilowatts.
Edexcel M2 Q7
14 marks Standard +0.3
7. A cyclist is pedalling along a horizontal cycle track at a constant speed of \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The air resistance opposing her motion has magnitude 42 N . The combined mass of the cyclist and her machine is 84 kg .
  1. Find the rate, in W , at which the cyclist is working. The cyclist now starts to ascend a hill inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 21 }\), at a constant speed.
    She continues to work at the same rate as before, against the same air resistance.
  2. Find the constant speed at which she ascends the hill. In fact the air resistance is not constant, and a revised model takes account of this by assuming that the air resistance is proportional to the cyclist's speed.
  3. Use this model to find an improved estimate of the speed at which she ascends the hill, if her rate of working still remains constant.
OCR M2 2008 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
3 The resistance to the motion of a car of mass 600 kg is \(k v \mathrm {~N}\), where \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) is the car's speed and \(k\) is a constant. The car ascends a hill of inclination \(\alpha\), where \(\sin \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 10 }\). The power exerted by the car's engine is 12000 W and the car has constant speed \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Show that \(k = 0.6\). The power exerted by the car's engine is increased to 16000 W .
  2. Calculate the maximum speed of the car while ascending the hill. The car now travels on horizontal ground and the power remains 16000 W .
  3. Calculate the acceleration of the car at an instant when its speed is \(32 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
OCR M2 2009 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2 A car of mass 1100 kg has maximum power of 44000 W . The resistive forces have constant magnitude 1400 N .
  1. Calculate the maximum steady speed of the car on the level. The car is moving on a hill of constant inclination \(\alpha\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \alpha = 0.05\).
  2. Calculate the maximum steady speed of the car when ascending the hill.
  3. Calculate the acceleration of the car when it is descending the hill at a speed of \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) working at half the maximum power.
OCR MEI M2 2013 January Q2
16 marks Moderate -0.3
2 This question is about 'kart gravity racing' in which, after an initial push, unpowered home-made karts race down a sloping track. The moving karts have only the following resistive forces and these both act in the direction opposite to the motion.
  • A force \(R\), called rolling friction, with magnitude \(0.01 M g \cos \theta \mathrm {~N}\) where \(M \mathrm {~kg}\) is the mass of the kart and driver and \(\theta\) is the angle of the track with the horizontal
  • A force \(F\) of varying magnitude, due to air resistance
A kart with its driver has a mass of 80 kg .
One stretch of track slopes uniformly downwards at \(4 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The kart travels 12 m down this stretch of track. The total work done by the kart against both rolling friction and air resistance is 455 J .
  1. Calculate the work done against air resistance.
  2. During this motion, the kart's speed increases from \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(v \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). Use an energy method to calculate \(v\). To reach the starting line, the kart (with the driver seated) is pushed up a slope against rolling friction and air resistance. At one point the slope is at \(5 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal, the air resistance is 15 N , the acceleration of the kart is \(1.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) up the slope and the power of the pushing force is 405 W .
  3. Calculate the speed of the kart at this point.
OCR MEI M2 2005 June Q2
19 marks Standard +0.3
2 A car of mass 850 kg is travelling along a road that is straight but not level.
On one section of the road the car travels at constant speed and gains a vertical height of 60 m in 20 seconds. Non-gravitational resistances to its motion (e.g. air resistance) are negligible.
  1. Show that the average power produced by the car is about 25 kW . On a horizontal section of the road, the car develops a constant power of exactly 25 kW and there is a constant resistance of 800 N to its motion.
  2. Calculate the maximum possible steady speed of the car.
  3. Find the driving force and acceleration of the car when its speed is \(10 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). When travelling along the horizontal section of road, the car accelerates from \(15 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) in 6.90 seconds with the same constant power and constant resistance.
  4. By considering work and energy, find how far the car travels while it is accelerating. When the car is travelling at \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) up a constant slope inclined at \(\arcsin ( 0.05 )\) to the horizontal, the driving force is removed. Subsequently, the resistance to the motion of the car remains constant at 800 N .
  5. What is the speed of the car when it has travelled a further 105 m up the slope?
Edexcel M2 Q5
13 marks Moderate -0.3
5. A lorry of mass 40 tonnes moves up a straight road inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the horizontal where \(\sin \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 20 }\). The lorry moves at a constant speed of \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). In a model of the motion of the lorry, the non-gravitational resistance to motion is assumed to be constant and of magnitude 4400 N .
  1. Show that the engine of the lorry is working at a rate of 480 kW . The road becomes horizontal. The lorry's engine continues to work at the same rate and the resistance to motion is assumed to remain unchanged.
  2. Find the initial acceleration of the lorry.
  3. Find, correct to 3 significant figures, the maximum speed of the lorry.
  4. Using your answer to part (c), comment on the suitability of the modelling assumption.
Edexcel M4 2002 June Q3
12 marks Standard +0.8
3. The engine of a car of mass 800 kg works at a constant rate of 32 kW . The car travels along a straight horizontal road and the resistance to motion of the car is proportional to the speed of the car. The car starts from rest and \(t\) seconds later it has a speed of \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Show that $$800 v \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} t } = 32000 - k v ^ { 2 } , \text { where } k \text { is a positive constant. }$$ Given that the limiting speed of the car is \(40 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), find
  2. the value of \(k\),
  3. \(v\) in terms of \(t\).
Edexcel M4 2004 June Q6
16 marks Challenging +1.8
6. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string and hangs at rest at time \(t = 0\). The other end of the string is then raised vertically by an engine which is working at a constant rate \(k m g\), where \(k > 0\). At time \(t\), the distance of \(P\) above its initial position is \(x\), and \(P\) is moving upwards with speed \(v\).
  1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} x } = ( k - v ) g\).
  2. Show that \(g x = k ^ { 2 } \ln \left( \frac { k } { k - v } \right) - k v - \frac { 1 } { 2 } v ^ { 2 }\).
  3. Hence, or otherwise, find \(t\) in terms of \(k , v\) and \(g\).
Edexcel M4 2017 June Q3
12 marks Challenging +1.2
3. A cyclist and her bicycle have a combined mass of 75 kg . The cyclist travels along a straight horizontal road. The cyclist produces a constant driving force of magnitude 150 N . At time \(t\) seconds, the speed of the cyclist is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), where \(v < \sqrt { 50 }\). As the cyclist moves, the total resistance to motion of the cyclist and her bicycle has magnitude \(3 v ^ { 2 }\) newtons. The cyclist starts from rest. At time \(t\) seconds, she has travelled a distance \(x\) metres from her starting point. Find
  1. \(v\) in terms of \(x\),
  2. \(t\) in terms of \(v\).
Edexcel M4 Q2
8 marks Challenging +1.2
2. A car of mass 1000 kg , moving along a straight horizontal road, is driven by an engine which produces a constant power of 12 kW . The only resistance to the motion of the car is air resistance of magnitude \(10 v ^ { 2 } \mathrm {~N}\) where \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) is the speed of the car. Find the distance travelled by the car as its speed increases from \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
(8 marks)
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2018 June Q2
12 marks Standard +0.3
2 A car of mass 1350 kg travels along a straight horizontal road. Throughout this question the resistance force to the motion of the car is modelled as constant and equal to 920 N .
  1. Calculate the power, in kW , developed by the car when the car is travelling at a constant speed of \(25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The car is now used to tow a caravan of mass 1050 kg along the same road. When the car tows the caravan at a constant speed of \(20 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) the power developed by the car is 45 kW .
  2. Find the additional resistance force due to the caravan. In the remaining parts of this question the power developed by the car is constant and equal to 68 kW and the resistance force due to the caravan is modelled as constant and equal to the value found in part (ii). When the car and caravan pass a point A on the same straight horizontal road the speed of the car and caravan is \(20 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
  3. Find the acceleration of the car and caravan at point A . The car and caravan later pass a point B on the same straight horizontal road with speed \(28 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The distance \(A B\) is \(1024 m\).
  4. Find the time taken for the car and caravan to travel from point A to point B .
  5. Suggest one way in which any of the modelling assumptions used in this question could have been improved.
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2019 June Q5
10 marks Standard +0.3
5 A car of mass 4000 kg travels up a line of greatest slope of a straight road inclined at an angle of \(\theta\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \theta = 0.1\).
The power developed by the car's engine is constant and the resistance to the motion of the car is constant and equal to 850 N . The car passes through a point A on the road with speed \(18 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and acceleration \(0.75 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Calculate the power developed by the car. The car later passes through a point B on the road with speed \(25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The car takes 17.8 s to travel from A to B .
  2. Find the distance AB .
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2022 June Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
4 The diagram shows two points A and B on a snowy slope. A is a vertical distance of 25 m above B. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{d1ec7861-dc8b-450b-8e05-c70479ab0dc2-5_220_1376_306_244} A rider and snowmobile, with a combined mass of 240 kg , start at the top of the slope, heading in the direction of \(B\). As the snowmobile passes \(A\), with a speed of \(3 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\), the rider switches off the engine so that the snowmobile coasts freely. When the snowmobile passes B, it has a speed of \(18 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The resistances to motion can be modelled as a single, constant force of magnitude 120 N .
  1. Calculate the distance the snowmobile travels from A to B. The rider now turns the snowmobile around and brings it back to B, so that it faces up the slope. Starting from rest, the snowmobile ascends the slope so that it passes A with a speed of \(7 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). It takes 30 seconds for the snowmobile to travel from B to A. The resistances to motion can still be modelled as a single, constant force of magnitude 120 N .
  2. Show that the snowmobile develops an average power of 2856 W during this time. The snowmobile can develop a maximum power of 6000 W . At a later point in the journey, the rider and snowmobile reach a different slope inclined at \(12 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The resistances to motion can still be modelled as a single, constant force of magnitude 120 N .
  3. Determine the maximum speed with which the rider and snowmobile can ascend. The power developed by a vehicle is sometimes given in the non-SI unit mechanical horsepower \(( \mathrm { hp } ) .1 \mathrm { hp }\) is the power required to lift 550 pounds against gravity, starting and ending at rest, by 1 foot in 1 second.
  4. Given that 1 metre \(\approx 3.28\) feet and \(1 \mathrm {~kg} \approx 2.2\) pounds, determine the number of watts that are equivalent to 1 hp .
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2023 June Q1
7 marks Moderate -0.3
1 Throughout all parts of this question, the resistance to the motion of a car has magnitude \(\mathrm { kv } ^ { 2 } \mathrm {~N}\), where \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) is the speed of the car and \(k\) is a constant. At first, the car travels along a straight horizontal road with constant speed \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The power developed by the car at this speed is 5000 W .
  1. Show that \(k = \frac { 5 } { 8 }\).
  2. Find the power the car must develop in order to maintain a constant speed of \(28 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when travelling along the same horizontal road. The car climbs a hill which is inclined at an angle of \(2 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The power developed by the car is 13000 W , and the car has a constant speed of \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  3. Determine the mass of the car.
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2024 June Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
5 In the diagram below, points \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }\) and C lie in the same vertical plane. The slope AB is inclined at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal and \(\mathrm { AB } = 5 \mathrm {~m}\). The point B is a vertical distance of 6.5 m above horizontal ground. The point C lies on the horizontal ground. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a96a0ebe-8f4f-4d79-9d11-9d348ef72314-6_601_1285_395_244} Starting at A , a particle P , of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\), moves along the slope towards B , under the action of a constant force \(\mathbf { F }\). The force \(\mathbf { F }\) has a magnitude of 50 N and acts at an angle of \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) to AB in the same vertical plane as A and B . When P reaches \(\mathrm { B } , \mathbf { F }\) is removed, and P moves under gravity landing at C . It is given that
  • the speed of P at A is \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\),
  • the speed of P at B is \(6 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\),
  • the speed of P at C is \(12 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\),
  • 58 J of work is done against non-gravitational resistances as P moves from A to B ,
  • 42 J of work is done against non-gravitational resistances as P moves from B to C .
    1. By considering the motion from B to C, show that \(m = 4.33\) correct to 3 significant figures.
    2. By considering the motion from A to B , determine the value of \(\theta\).
    3. Calculate the power of \(\mathbf { F }\) at the instant that P reaches B .
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2020 November Q1
4 marks Standard +0.3
1 Brent is riding his bicycle along a straight horizontal road.
While riding along this road Brent can attain a maximum speed of \(6.25 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and the wind resistance acting on Brent and his bicycle is constant and equal to 19.2 N . Brent and his bicycle have a combined mass of 72 kg . Brent later begins to ride up a hill which is inclined at an angle of \(3 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal.
Given that the wind resistance and the maximum power developed by the bicycle is unchanged, determine Brent's maximum speed up the hill.