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A-LevelMathematicsMechanics9709/52 · May/June 2019 · Q48 Marks

A particle P of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity 16 N. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point O. The particle P is released from rest at the point 0.8 m vertically below O. When the extension of the string is x m, the downwards velocity of P is v m s⁻¹ and a force of magnitude 25x² N opposes the motion of P.

  1. (i)Show that, when P is moving downwards, v(dv/dx) = 10 – 40x - 50x².[2]
  2. (ii)For the instant when P has its greatest downwards speed, find the kinetic energy of P and the elastic potential energy stored in the string.[6]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [M1] Use Newton's Second Law vertically
  2. [A1] AG
  3. [M1] Attempt to integrate
  4. [A1]
  5. [M1] Put the acceleration equal to zero
  6. [A1]
  7. [B1] Use KE = mv²/2
  8. [B1] Use EE = λx²/(2l)

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About this question

Topic
Mechanics, A-Level Mathematics (syllabus 9709). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
A-Level Mathematics, May/June 2019 Paper 5 Variant 2, question 4.

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