SHORTWOOD TEACHERS’ COLLEGE

Mathematics Department

MT401SEB Mechanics
Prompts to answering questions on May 2016 past paper

QUESTION 1
1. You can assume that the force is parallel to the plane
2. The forces (and components) acting on the crate are shown in the diagram

N
F

mg sin40o
f
mg cos40o
mg
40o

3. The crate is traveling with constant velocity so sum of forces and components in one
direction = sum of forces and components in the opposite direction both parallel and
perpendicular to the plane.
4. Write equations and recall f = µN
o
F=mgsin 40 +f .................(i )
N=mgcos 40o .................(ii)
o
f =µ mgcos 40 .................(iii)
5. Use equations to solve for f
Substitute for µ, m and g in equation (iii)
o
f =(0.7)(60)(10)cos 40
f =322 N
6. Displacement up plane d = speed × time and work done by force W = F.d
7. Find numerical values for F and d and solve for W
Substitute in equation (i)
F=(60)(10)sin 40 o+ 322
F=708 N
Displacement up the plane = (0.6)(2) = 1.2 m
W =(708)(1.2)
W =850 J
 7

8. Recall W =∫ Fdx.
2
9. Integrate to solve for W.
7
W =∫ 4 x +5 x +3 x +2
3 2

[ ]
7
4 x4 5 x3 3 x2
¿ + + +2 x
4 3 2 2

[ ][ ]
4 3 2 4 3 2
4 (7) 5 (7) 3(7) 4 (2) 5(2) 3(2)
¿ + + +2(7) − + + +2( 2)
4 3 2 4 3 2
¿ [ 2401+ 572+ 73.5+ 14 ] − [ 16+13+ 6+4 ]
¿ ( 3060.5 )−( 39 )=3021.5 J

QUESTION 2
1. Draw a diagram showing the forces acting on the minibus (include force of engine)

FE
R

2. Write an expression for the net force Fnet acting on the minibus
Fnet = FE – R .............(i)

3. Recall Fnet = ma and P = Fv

P
FE=
v

4. Make substitutions and solve for R

Substituting in equation (i)
P
ma= −R
v
12000
( 1000 ) ( 0.3 )= −R
15
300=800−R
R=500 N

5. Draw a diagram of the forces and components acting on the minibus as it goes downhill
(include force of engine).
 mgsinθ
R
FE
θ
mg

6. Since the bus in moving with constant velocity, condition stated in part 3 of question 1 holds.
7. Write an equation and recall that P = Fx
mgsinθ+ F E=R
P
mgsinθ+ =R
x
8. Substitute and solve for x.

( 1000 ) ( 10 ) ( 501 )+ 10500

x
=50 0
10500
196+ =50 0
x
10500
=304
x
x=34.5 m/ s

QUESTION 3
1. Draw a proportionate (free hand) diagram to show the locations of the masses in the
coordinate plane.

7 kg

λ kg

8 kg

2. The question gives that xcom = 8 and ycom = k

3. Write the equations for the coordinates of the centre of mass using x com=
∑ mi x i and
∑ mi
y com =
∑ mi y i and use them to solve for λ then k.
∑ mi
7 ( 0 ) + λ ( 12 ) +8 (8)
x com= =8
8+ 7+ λ
7 ( 7 )+ λ ( 4 )+ 8(−3)
y com = =k
8+7+ λ
From the first equation
12 λ+64=8 ( 15+ λ )
12 λ+64=120+8 λ
4 λ=5 6
λ=1 4
Substitute for λ in the second equation

49+ ( 14 )( 4 ) −24
=k
15+14
49+56−24
=k
29
k =2.8

4. The hole at which the sign must be hung must be xcom

vertically above the centre of mass of the sign for it to
balance.
5. Since the card is uniform and the circles are
symmetrically cut out on the card, then xcom = 50 cm.
6. By inserting the necessary dimensions you can confirm
that

(20¿¿ 2) ( 70 )
x com=( 5000 )( 50 )−π ( 20¿¿ 2) ( 30 )−π ¿¿
5000−2 π ( 20¿¿ 2)¿

250000− (1256.6 )( 30 )−(1245.6) ( 70 )

x com=
5000−2(1256.6)

250000−37698−87962
x com=
2486.8
 124340
x com= =50 c m
2486.8

QUESTION 4
1. The diagram shows the forces acting on the ladder.
Label the forces.
2. The ladder is in equilibrium.
3. Write equations for the sum of forces
2 mg+490=N ............(i)
f =µN=R ............(ii)
Substitute (2mg +490) for N in equation (ii)
f =µ(2 mg+ 490)

4. Write equation for the sum of moments about A, the

base of the ladder. Use the geometry of the
arrangement and trigonometry to show that x = 0.3a; y
= 0.6a; z = 1.6a.

From the second diagram:

3 AD
cosα= =
5 2a
6a
AD= =1.2 a
5
Using similar triangles:
AM =½ AB
y=½ AD=0.6 a
AC=¼ AB
x=¼ AD=0.3 a

From the second diagram:

4 BD
sin α = =
5 2a
 8a
BD= =1.6 a
5
Taking moments about A:
2 mg ( x ) +490 ( y)=R( z)
2 mg ( 0.3 a )+ 490(0.6 a)=R(1.6 a)
5. Recall that f =µN
R=f =µ ( 2 mg+490 )

6. Substitute and find an expression for µ in terms of the mass of the man 2m.

2 mg ( 0.3 a )+ 490 ( 0.6 a )=µ (2 mg+ 490)(1.6 a)

Divide throughout by a and multiply by 10
2 mg ( 3 )+ 490 ( 6 )=µ(2 mg+490)(16)
3(2 mg+980)=16 µ(2 mg+490)
3(2 mg +980)
µ=
16(2 mg+490)

7. You should get

3 (2m g+980)
μ=
16( 2m g +490)

QUESTION 5
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fx
For this course the modulus of elasticity λ of an elastic material is defined as λ= l
 λ
Where: F is applied force; l is original length; x is extension. Hence F= l x

1. The diagram shows the forces and components acting on the particle.

1.4 m

A B
2T cos60o
T T

T sin60o T sin60o
O

ng

2. The particle is in equilibrium. Apply one of the equilibrium conditions and write equations.

2 Tcos60 o=n g … … … ..(i)

3. Use the geometry of the arrangement to find the length of AO to 3d.p

From the diagram

1.4 1.4 m
sin 60o =
AO
A B
1.4 T
AO= o
=1.617 m T
sin60 60o

O
4. Determine the extension of the string

The stretched length of the elastic string ng

is: 3.234 m – 3.0=0.234 m
The extension of the string is: 3.234 m – 3.0 m=0.234 m

λ
5. Use T = x to find T
l
λx
T=
l
 ( 3 g ) (0.234)
T=
3
T =0.234 g=2.34 N
6. Substitute the value of T in the appropriate equation to find n.
Substitute for T and g in equation (i)
o
2 ( 2.34 ) cos 60 =10 n
o
4.68 cos 60
n=
10
¿ 0.234 N
λ
7. Substitute in the equation W = x and solve for x
l
λx
mg=
l
( 60 ) x
5 ( 10 )=
1.5
75=60 x
x=1.25 m

QUESTION 6
1. Rearrange the equation to separate the variables.

dv
+2 v=3 6
dt
dv
=36−2 v
dt
dv
=−2(v−18)
dt
dv
=−2 d t
( v−18)
v t
dv
2. Integrate between the limits and show that ∫ =−2∫ dt
45 v −18 0

When t = 0, v = 45 m/s
v t
dv
∫ v −18 =−2∫ dt
45 0
3. And v=27 e−2 t +18

v
[ ln ⁡(v −18) ]45=−2t
[ ln ⁡(v −18) ] −[ ln ⁡( 45−18)] =−2t
[ ln ⁡(v −18) ] −[ ln ⁡(27) ]=−2t

ln( v−18
27 )
=−2 t

( 27 )=e
v −18 −2t

−2t
v−18=27 e
−2 t
v=27 e +18

4. Substitute 30 for v in the equation and solve for t.

When v = 30 m/s
−2 t
30=27 e +18
30−18 −2 t
=e
27
12
ln =−2 t
27
−0.81=−2t
t=0.4 s