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A-LevelPhysicsForces, density and pressure9702/22 · May/June 2019 · Q310 Marks

3 (b) A uniform square sign with sides of length 0.68 m is fixed at its corner points A and B to a wall. The sign is also supported by a wire CD, as shown in [Figure 3.1]. The sign has weight W and centre of gravity at point E. The sign is held in a vertical plane with side BC horizontal. The wire is at an angle of 35° to side BC. The tension in the wire is 54 N. The force exerted on the sign at B is only in the vertical direction.

  1. (a)State what is meant by the centre of gravity of a body.[1]
  2. (b)(i)Calculate the vertical component of the tension in the wire.[1]
  3. (b)(ii)Explain why the force on the sign at B does not have a moment about point A.[1]
  4. (b)(iii)By taking moments about point A, show that the weight W of the sign is 150N.[2]
  5. (b)(iv)Calculate the total vertical force exerted by the wall on the sign at points A and B.[1]
  6. (c)The sign in (b) is held together by nuts and bolts. One of the nuts falls vertically from rest through a distance of 4.8m to the pavement below. The nut lands on the pavement with a speed of 9.2ms⁻¹. Determine, for the nut falling from the sign to the pavement, the ratio change in gravitational potential energy / final kinetic energy[4]

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Mark scheme

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

  1. [B1] the point where (all) the weight (of the body) is taken to act
  2. [A1] vertical component = 54 sin 35° = 31 N
  3. [B1] the (line of action of the) force (at B) passes through (point) A or the (line of action of the) force (at B) has zero (perpendicular) distance from (point) A
  4. [C1] 54 sin 35° × 0.68 or 54 cos 35° × 0.68 or W × 0.34
  5. [A1] 54 sin 35° × 0.68 + 54 cos 35° × 0.68 = W × 0.34 so W = 150 (N)
  6. [A1] total vertical force = 150 – 31 = 120 N
  7. [C1] (Δ)E = mg(Δ)h
  8. [C1] E = ½mv²
  9. [C1] ratio = (m × 9.81 × 4.8) / (½ × m × 9.2²) or (9.81 × 4.8)/ (½ x 9.2²)
  10. [A1] = 1.1

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About this question

Topic
Forces, density and pressure, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Structured question, 10 marks.
Source
A-Level Physics, May/June 2019 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 3.

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