Skip to main content
A-LevelMathematicsMechanicsMay/June 2025Paper 4 Q512 Marks

One end of a light inextensible string is attached to a particle A of mass 3 kg. The other end of the string is attached to a particle B of mass 4kg. Particle A is in contact with a rough plane inclined at 30° to the horizontal, and particle B is in contact with a smooth horizontal plane. A second light inextensible string is attached to B. The other end of this second string is attached to a particle C of mass 5 kg which hangs vertically. Both strings are taut and pass over small smooth pulleys that are fixed at the ends of the horizontal plane. The part of the string from A to the pulley is parallel to a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane, and A, B and C are in the same vertical plane (see diagram). The system is released from rest. In the subsequent motion, C moves vertically downwards with acceleration 2ms⁻², and neither A nor B reach a pulley. [Figure 5.1]

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is . This question tests the candidate's understanding of mechanics within the Mathematicssyllabus. The examiner's mark scheme requires...

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🔒

Unlock the Examiner's Answer

Sign up for free to reveal the correct answer, the official mark scheme breakdown, and the examiner trap analysis for this question.

Sign Up Free to Unlock →

Join thousands of Cambridge students already using Oracle Prep

About This A-Level Mathematics Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Mathematics (9709) May/June 2025 examination, Paper 4 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Mechanics and is worth 12 marks.

Oracle Prep provides AI-powered practice for all Cambridge O-Level and A-Level subjects. Our platform includes topic predictions with 87.7% accuracy, AI essay grading, and a comprehensive question bank spanning 25 years of past papers.

© 2026 Oracle Prep — The AI-Powered Cambridge Exam Engine