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A-LevelMathematicsMechanicsMay/June 2018Paper 4 Q46 Marks

Two particles A and B, of masses 0.8 kg and 1.6 kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible string. Particle A is placed on a smooth plane inclined at an angle θ to the horizontal, where sin θ = 3/5. The string passes over a small smooth pulley P fixed at the top of the plane, and B hangs freely (see diagram). The section AP of the string is parallel to a line of greatest slope of the plane. The particles are released from rest with both sections of the string taut. Use an energy method to find the speed of the particles after each particle has moved a distance of 0.5 m, assuming that A has not yet reached the pulley. [Figure 4.1]

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About This A-Level Mathematics Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Mathematics (9709) May/June 2018 examination, Paper 4 Variant 3. It tests the topic of Mechanics and is worth 6 marks.

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