The variation with extension x of the force Facting on a spring is shown in Fig. 3.1. [Figure 3.1] The spring of unstretched length 0.40 m has one end attached to a fixed point, as shown in Fig. 3.2. [Figure 3.2] A block of weight 2.5 N is then attached to the spring. The block is then released and begins to move downwards. At one instant, as the block is continuing to move downwards, the spring has a length of 0.72 m, as shown in Fig. 3.3. [Figure 3.3] Assume that the air resistance and the mass of the spring are both negligible.
- (a)For the change in length of the spring from 0.40 m to 0.72 m:
- (a)(i)use Fig. 3.1 to show that the increase in elastic potential energy of the spring is 0.64 J[2]
- (a)(ii)calculate the decrease in gravitational potential energy of the block of weight 2.5 N.[2]
- (b)Use the information in (a)(i) and your answer in (a)(ii) to determine, for the instant when the length of the spring is 0.72 m:
- (b)(i)the kinetic energy of the block[1]
- (b)(ii)the speed of the block.[2]
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [1] E = ½Fx or E = ½kx² or E = area under graph
- [1] E = ½ × 4.0 × 0.32 = 0.64 J or E = ½ × 12.5 × (0.32)² = 0.64 J
- [1] E = mgh or E = Wh
- [1] = 2.5 × 0.32 = 0.80 J
- [1] kinetic energy = 0.80 - 0.64 = 0.16 J
- [1] E = ½mv²
- [1] 0.16 = ½ × (2.5/9.81) × v²
- [1] v = 1.1 m s⁻¹
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