Two connected particles, horizontal surface

A question is this type if and only if it involves two particles or blocks connected by a string or rod and moving together along a horizontal surface under an applied force, requiring finding acceleration and the force (tension or thrust) in the connector.

11 questions · Moderate -0.2

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Edexcel M1 2012 June Q7
15 marks Moderate -0.3
7. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{5c908e75-73df-46be-93bb-09dba2cb3b7e-12_150_1104_255_422} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} Two particles \(P\) and \(Q\), of mass 0.3 kg and 0.5 kg respectively, are joined by a light horizontal rod. The system of the particles and the rod is at rest on a horizontal plane. At time \(t = 0\), a constant force \(\mathbf { F }\) of magnitude 4 N is applied to \(Q\) in the direction \(P Q\), as shown in Figure 3. The system moves under the action of this force until \(t = 6 \mathrm {~s}\). During the motion, the resistance to the motion of \(P\) has constant magnitude 1 N and the resistance to the motion of \(Q\) has constant magnitude 2 N . Find
  1. the acceleration of the particles as the system moves under the action of \(\mathbf { F }\),
  2. the speed of the particles at \(t = 6 \mathrm {~s}\),
  3. the tension in the rod as the system moves under the action of \(\mathbf { F }\). At \(t = 6 \mathrm {~s} , \mathbf { F }\) is removed and the system decelerates to rest. The resistances to motion are unchanged. Find
  4. the distance moved by \(P\) as the system decelerates,
  5. the thrust in the rod as the system decelerates.
Edexcel M1 2022 June Q3
7 marks Moderate -0.8
3. A tractor of mass 6 tonnes is dragging a large block of mass 2 tonnes along rough horizontal ground. The cable connecting the tractor to the block is horizontal and parallel to the direction of motion. The cable is modelled as being light and inextensible.
The driving force of the tractor is 7400 N and the resistance to the motion of the tractor is 200 N . The resistance to the motion of the block is \(R\) newtons, where \(R\) is a constant. Given that the tension in the cable is 6000 N and the tractor is accelerating,
  1. find the value of \(R\).
  2. State how you have used the fact that the cable is modelled as being inextensible.
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OCR MEI M1 2011 January Q5
7 marks Moderate -0.3
5 Fig. 5 shows two boxes, A of mass 12 kg and B of mass 6 kg , sliding in a straight line on a rough horizontal plane. The boxes are connected by a light rigid rod which is parallel to the line of motion. The only forces acting on the boxes in the line of motion are those due to the rod and a constant force of \(F \mathrm {~N}\) on each box. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{e36ef805-beff-4125-b332-439ccb0d91c4-4_246_1006_479_568} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 5}
\end{figure} The boxes have an initial speed of \(1.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and come to rest after sliding a distance of 0.375 m .
  1. Calculate the deceleration of the boxes and the value of \(F\).
  2. Calculate the magnitude of the force in the rod and state, with a reason, whether it is a tension or a thrust (compression).
OCR M1 2011 January Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{4c6c9323-8238-4ec2-94a1-6e8188a34521-03_156_1141_258_502} A block \(B\) of mass 0.8 kg and a particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg are connected by a light inextensible string inclined at \(10 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. They are pulled across a horizontal surface with acceleration \(0.2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\), by a horizontal force of 2 N applied to \(B\) (see diagram).
  1. Given that contact between \(B\) and the surface is smooth, calculate the tension in the string.
  2. Calculate the coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the surface.
OCR MEI M1 2011 June Q8
18 marks Standard +0.3
8 A trolley C of mass 8 kg with rusty axle bearings is initially at rest on a horizontal floor.
The trolley stays at rest when it is pulled by a horizontal string with tension 25 N , as shown in Fig. 8.1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{2efbb554-fe60-42ce-9213-8c66bfdb1d85-5_255_1097_397_523} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8.1}
\end{figure}
  1. State the magnitude of the horizontal resistance opposing the pull. A second trolley D of mass 10 kg is connected to trolley C by means of a light, horizontal rod.
    The string now has tension 50 N , and is at an angle of \(25 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 8.2. The two trolleys stay at rest. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{2efbb554-fe60-42ce-9213-8c66bfdb1d85-5_305_1191_1050_701} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8.2}
    \end{figure}
  2. Calculate the magnitude of the total horizontal resistance acting on the two trolleys opposing the pull.
  3. Calculate the normal reaction of the floor on trolley C . The axle bearings of the trolleys are oiled and the total horizontal resistance to the motion of the two trolleys is now 20 N . The two trolleys are still pulled by the string with tension 50 N , as shown in Fig. 8.2.
  4. Calculate the acceleration of the trolleys. In a new situation, the trolleys are on a slope at \(5 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal and are initially travelling down the slope at \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The resistances are 15 N to the motion of D and 5 N to the motion of C . There is no string attached. The rod connecting the trolleys is parallel to the slope. This situation is shown in Fig. 8.3. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{2efbb554-fe60-42ce-9213-8c66bfdb1d85-5_355_1294_2156_429} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8.3}
    \end{figure}
  5. Calculate the speed of the trolleys after 2 seconds and also the force in the rod connecting the trolleys, stating whether this rod is in tension or thrust (compression).
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 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 2008 January Q6
10 marks Standard +0.3
6 A tractor, of mass 4000 kg , is used to pull a skip, of mass 1000 kg , over a rough horizontal surface. The tractor is connected to the skip by a rope, which remains taut and horizontal throughout the motion, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{217f0e3e-9d1b-41f1-8299-f56d073fbbeb-4_243_880_477_571} Assume that only two horizontal forces act on the tractor. One is a driving force, which has magnitude \(P\) newtons and acts in the direction of motion. The other is the tension in the rope. The coefficient of friction between the skip and the ground is 0.4 .
The tractor and the skip accelerate at \(0.8 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Show that the magnitude of the friction force acting on the skip is 3920 N .
  2. Show that \(P = 7920\).
  3. Find the tension in the rope.
  4. Suppose that, during the motion, the rope is not horizontal, but inclined at a small angle to the horizontal, with the higher end of the rope attached to the tractor, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{217f0e3e-9d1b-41f1-8299-f56d073fbbeb-4_241_880_1665_571} How would the magnitude of the friction force acting on the skip differ from that found in part (a)? Explain why.
AQA M1 2014 June Q3
15 marks Moderate -0.8
3 A skip, of mass 800 kg , is at rest on a rough horizontal surface. The coefficient of friction between the skip and the ground is 0.4 . A rope is attached to the skip and then the rope is pulled by a van so that the rope is horizontal while it is taut, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{788534a5-abbb-4d6a-87b2-c54e859a128a-06_237_1118_497_463} The mass of the van is 1700 kg . A constant horizontal forward driving force of magnitude \(P\) newtons acts on the van. The skip and the van accelerate at \(0.05 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\). Model both the van and the skip as particles connected by a light inextensible rope. Assume that there is no air resistance acting on the skip or on the van.
  1. Find the speed of the van and the skip when they have moved 6 metres.
  2. Draw a diagram to show the forces acting on the skip while it is accelerating.
  3. Draw a diagram to show the forces acting on the van while it is accelerating. State one advantage of modelling the van as a particle when considering the vertical forces.
  4. Find the magnitude of the friction force acting on the skip.
  5. Find the tension in the rope.
  6. \(\quad\) Find \(P\).
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{788534a5-abbb-4d6a-87b2-c54e859a128a-06_771_1703_1932_155}
OCR MEI M1 Q3
16 marks Moderate -0.3
3 A trolley C of mass 8 kg with rusty axle bearings is initially at rest on a horizontal floor.
The trolley stays at rest when it is pulled by a horizontal string with tension 25 N , as shown in Fig. 8.1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f5f9b9b7-6766-4f8e-b011-506051104123-3_249_1096_314_558} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8.1}
\end{figure}
  1. State the magnitude of the horizontal resistance opposing the pull. A second trolley D of mass 10 kg is connected to trolley C by means of a light, horizontal rod.
    The string now has tension 50 N , and is at an angle of \(25 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 8.2. The two trolleys stay at rest. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f5f9b9b7-6766-4f8e-b011-506051104123-3_297_1180_971_741} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8.2}
    \end{figure}
  2. Calculate the magnitude of the total horizontal resistance acting on the two trolleys opposing the pull.
  3. Calculate the normal reaction of the floor on trolley C . The axle bearings of the trolleys are oiled and the total horizontal resistance to the motion of the two trolleys is now 20 N . The two trolleys are still pulled by the string with tension 50 N , as shown in Fig. 8.2.
  4. Calculate the acceleration of the trolleys. In a new situation, the trolleys are on a slope at \(5 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal and are initially travelling down the slope at \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The resistances are 15 N to the motion of D and 5 N to the motion of C . There is no string attached. The rod connecting the trolleys is parallel to the slope. This situation is shown in Fig. 8.3. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f5f9b9b7-6766-4f8e-b011-506051104123-3_351_1285_2038_466} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8.3}
    \end{figure}
  5. Calculate the speed of the trolleys after 2 seconds and also the force in the rod connecting the PhysicsAptMaths, statter \&REther this rod is in tension or thrust (compression).
OCR MEI M1 Q4
7 marks Standard +0.3
4 Fig. 5 shows blocks of mass 4 kg and 6 kg on a smooth horizontal table. They are connected by a light, inextensible string. As shown, a horizontal force \(F \mathrm {~N}\) acts on the 4 kg block and a horizontal force of 30 N acts on the 6 kg block. The magnitude of the acceleration of the system is \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\). \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{9bff41e0-7be0-4932-ae50-a612abb3fe19-4_119_1108_588_513} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 5}
\end{figure}
  1. Find the two possible values of \(F\).
  2. Find the tension in the string in each case.