_______________________

Name:
_
Vectors in mechanics
_______________________
Class:
_

_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 228 min.

Marks: 190 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 33
Q1.
Three forces act on a particle. These forces are (9i – 3j) newtons, (5i 8j) newtons and
(–7i + 3j) newtons. The vectors i and j are perpendicular unit vectors.

(a) Find the resultant of these forces.

(2)

(b) Find the magnitude of the resultant force.

(2)

(c) Given that the particle has mass 5 kg, find the magnitude of the acceleration of the
particle.
(2)

(d) Find the angle between the resultant force and the unit vector i.
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q2.
A particle moves in a horizontal plane under the action of a single force, F newtons.
The unit vectors i and j are directed east and north respectively. At time t seconds, the
velocity of the particle, v m s–1, is given by

v = 4e–2t i + (6t – 3t 2)j

(a) Find an expression for the acceleration of the particle at time t.

(3)

(b) The mass of the particle is 5 kg.

(i) Find an expression for the force F acting on the particle at time t.
(2)

(ii) Find the magnitude of F when t = 0 .

(2)

(c) Find the value of t when F acts due west.

(2)

(d) When t = 0 , the particle is at the point with position vector (6i + 5j) m.

Find the position vector, r metres, of the particle at time t.

(5)
(Total 14 marks)

Q3.
A boat moves with constant acceleration, so that its velocity v m s–1 at time t seconds is
given by

Page 2 of 33
 v = (4.5 – 0.9t)i + (2 + 0.5t)j

where the unit vectors i and j are directed east and north respectively.

(a) Find the velocity of the boat when t = 0.

(1)

(b) Find the velocity of the boat when t = 5.

(1)

(c) State the direction in which the boat is travelling when t = 5.

(1)

(d) Find the acceleration of the boat.

(3)

(e) The mass of the boat is 250 kg. Find the magnitude of the resultant force acting on
the boat.
(3)

(f) Draw a diagram to show the direction of the resultant force on the boat and
calculate the angle between this force and the unit vector i.
(4)
(Total 13 marks)

Q4.
A particle has mass 200 kg and moves on a smooth horizontal plane. A single

horizontal force, newtons, acts on the particle at time t

seconds.

The unit vectors i and j are directed east and north respectively.

(a) Find the acceleration of the particle at time t.

(2)

(b) When t = 4, the velocity of the particle is (–3i + 56j) m s–1.

Find the velocity of the particle at time t.

(5)

(c) Find t when the particle is moving due west.

(3)

(d) Find the speed of the particle when it is moving due west.
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q5.
Two forces, P = (6i − 3j) newtons and Q = (3i + 15j) newtons, act on a particle. The unit
vectors i and j are perpendicular.

Page 3 of 33
 (a) Find the resultant of P and Q.
(2)

(b) Calculate the magnitude of the resultant of P and Q.

(2)

(c) When these two forces act on the particle, it has an acceleration of (1.5i + 2j) m s−2.
Find the mass of the particle.
(2)

(d) The particle was initially at rest at the origin.

(i) Find an expression for the position vector of the particle when the forces have
been applied to the particle for t seconds.
(2)

(ii) Find the distance of the particle from the origin when the forces have been
applied to the particle for 2 seconds.
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q6.
A particle moves on a horizontal plane, in which the unit vectors i and j are directed east
and north respectively.

At time t seconds, the position vector of the particle is r metres, where

r= i + (t2 − 6t)j

(a) Find an expression for the velocity of the particle at time t.

(3)

(b) (i) Find the speed of the particle when t = 3.

(2)

(ii) State the direction in which the particle is travelling when t = 3.

(1)

(c) Find the acceleration of the particle when t = 3.

(3)

(d) The mass of the particle is 7 kg.

Find the magnitude of the resultant force on the particle when t = 3.

(3)
(Total 12 marks)

Q7.
A particle moves in a horizontal plane under the action of a single force, F newtons. The
unit vectors i and j are directed east and north respectively. At time t seconds, the position
vector, r metres, of the particle is given by

Page 4 of 33
 r = (t3 – 3t2 + 4)i + (4t + t2)j

(a) Find an expression for the velocity of the particle at time t.

(2)

(b) The mass of the particle is 3 kg.

(i) Find an expression for F at time t.

(3)

(ii) Find the magnitude of F when t = 3.

(2)

(c) Find the value of t when F acts due north.

(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q8.
The diagram shows three forces and the perpendicular unit vectors i and j, which all lie in
the same plane.

(a) Express the resultant of the three forces in terms of i and j.

(2)

(b) Find the magnitude of the resultant force.

(2)

(c) Draw a diagram to show the direction of the resultant force, and find the angle that it
makes with the unit vector i.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Q9.
A particle has mass 800 kg. A single force of (2400 i – 4800t j) newtons acts on the
particle at time t seconds. No other forces act on the particle.

(a) Find the acceleration of the particle at time t.

(2)

(b) At time t = 0, the velocity of the particle is (6i + 30j) m s–1. The velocity of the particle
at time t is v m s–1.

Page 5 of 33
 Show that

v = (6 + 3t)i + (30 – 3t2)j

(4)

(c) Initially, the particle is at the point with position vector (2i + 5j) m.

Find the position vector, r metres, of the particle at time t.

(5)
(Total 11 marks)

Q10.
A particle moves such that at time t seconds its acceleration is given by

(2 cos ti – 5 sin tj) m s–2

(a) The mass of the particle is 6 kg. Find the magnitude of the resultant
force on the particle when t = 0.
(3)

(b) When t = 0, the velocity of the particle is (2i + 10j) m s–l.

Find an expression for the velocity of the particle at time t.

(5)
(Total 8 marks)

Q11.
A particle moves in a horizontal plane, in which the unit vectors i and j are directed east
and north respectively. At time t seconds, its position vector, r metres, is given by

r = (2t3 – t2 + 6)i + (8 – 4t3 + t)j

(a) Find an expression for the velocity of the particle at time t.

(3)

(b) (i) Find the velocity of the particle when t = .

(2)

(ii) State the direction in which the particle is travelling at this time.
(1)

(c) Find the acceleration of the particle when t = 4.

(3)

(d) The mass of the particle is 6 kg. Find the magnitude of the resultant force on the
particle when t = 4.
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 6 of 33
Q12.
A particle P, of mass 0.25 kg, moves in a horizontal plane so that at time t seconds its
velocity v m s–1 is given by

v = 8 sin t i + 4 cos t j

(a) Find the force, F newtons, acting on P at time t.

(3)

(b) (i) Show that the magnitude of F at time t is

(3)

(ii) Hence state the range of values of the magnitude of F.

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q13.
A particle P moves in a horizontal plane so that at time t seconds after the motion begins
its position vector r metres is given by

r = sin 2t i + 6t j

(a) (i) Find the velocity of P at time t.

(2)

(ii) Show that the speed of P at time t is

(3)

(iii) Find the first value of t for which the speed of P has its minimum value.
(2)

(b) (i) The mass of P is 0.25 kg. Find the force, F newtons, acting on P at time t.
(3)

(ii) State the direction of F and explain why its magnitude never exceeds one
newton.
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q14.
A particle P, of mass 0.5 kg, moves under the action of a force F newtons,
where F = 2ti + 1.5j at time t seconds.

(a) Find the acceleration of P at time t.

(1)

Page 7 of 33
 (b) The particle P starts its motion from rest.

Find the velocity of P at time t.

(2)

(c) The particle P starts its motion at the point O.

(i) Find the position vector of P relative to O at time t.

(3)

(ii) Find the distance of P from O when it is moving parallel to the vector i + j.
(5)
(Total 11 marks)

Q15.
A particle moves with constant acceleration in a horizontal plane. The unit vectors i and j
are perpendicular and lie in the plane. At time t = 0, the particle is at rest at the origin. At
time t = 4 seconds, the position vector of the particle is (- 16i + 16j) metres.

(a) Show that the acceleration of the particle is (- 2i + 2j) m s–2.

(4)

(b) Find the speed of the particle when t = 5.

(4)

(c) The mass of the particle is 3 kg. Two horizontal forces P and Q act on the particle. If
P = 20i – 10j, find Q.
(4)
(Total 12 marks)

Q16.
A particle moves in a horizontal plane. The unit vectors i and j are perpendicular and lie in
the horizontal plane.

Initially the particle is at the origin and has velocity (5i – 2j) m s–1. It moves with constant
acceleration. At time t = 10 it has position vector (40i – 15j) metres.

(a) Show that the velocity of the particle is (3i – j) m s–1 when t = 10.
(4)

(b) Find the acceleration of the particle.

(3)

(c) The mass of the particle is 15 kg. Find the magnitude of the resultant force acting on
the particle.
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

Q17.
A particle of mass 4 kg moves on a smooth horizontal plane. It is initially at rest at the

Page 8 of 33
 origin. A force F = (8i – 12j) N acts on the particle for 20 seconds. The unit vectors i and j
are perpendicular and lie in the horizontal plane.

(a) (i) Find the acceleration of the particle.

(2)

(ii) Find the velocity of the particle at the end of the 20 second period.
(2)

(iii) Find the position of the particle at the end of the 20 second period.
(3)

(b) At the end of the 20 second period, the force F is removed. Find the distance of the
particle from the origin after the particle has been in motion for a total of 45 seconds.
(5)
(Total 12 marks)

Q18.
Two forces Fl = (3i + 4j)N and F2 = (6i – 8j)N, act on a particle. The resultant of these two
forces is F. The unit vectors i and j are perpendicular.

(a) Find F.
(2)

(b) Find the magnitude of F.

(2)

(c) Find the acute angle between F and the unit vector i.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 9 of 33
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) (F =)9i − 3j + 5i + 8j – 7i + 3j = 7i + 8j
M1: Adding the three forces with one component correct.
A1: Correct answer.

M1A1
2

(b) (F =) = = 10.6 N
M1: Finding magnitude with a + sign.
A1F: Correct magnitude. Accept AWRT 10.63 and
Follow through incorrect answers to part (a).

M1A1F
2

(c) (a =) = 2.13 m s–2

M1: Dividing their force from part (a) or magnitude by 5.

A1F: Correct acceleration.

Accept 2.12 (from truncation or 10.6 / 5) or or

AWRT 2.13.
Follow through incorrect answers to parts (a) and (b).
Seeing just a = 1.4i + 1.6j scores M1 A0

M1A1F
2

(d) cos α = or
M1: Trig equation to find the angle with: cos with 7 or 8
in the numerator and in denominator

OR

sin α = or
sin with 7 or 8 in the numerator and in denominator

OR

tan α =
tan with 7 and 8 in any position
A1F: Correct equation.

Page 10 of 33
 M1A1F

(α =)48.8°
A1F: Correct angle. Accept 49° or AWRT 49°
Follow through incorrect answers to parts (a) and (b).

A1F
3
[9]

Q2.

(a) a=

a = –8e–2t i + (6 – 6t)j
M1: Differentiating with either of the two components
correct. Do not need to see i or j.
A1: Correct i component.
A1: Correct j component.
M1
A1
A1
3

(b) (i) Using F = ma

F = 5 ×{–8e–2t i + (6 – 6t)j}

= –40e–2t i + (30 – 30t)j

M1: Multiplying their acceleration by 5, even if not
a vector.
A1: Correct expression.
M1
A1
2

(ii) Magnitude of F is

{(–40)2 + (30)2}
M1: Finding magnitude from two non-zero terms. Must
add terms and square root. Condone {(40)2 + (30)2}
M1

= 50
A1: Correct answer only.
In this part, condone lack of negative signs in
expression for force in (b) (i).
A1
2

(c) When F acts due west, j component is zero

30 – 30t = 0
M1: Putting j component equal to zero.

Page 11 of 33
 M1

t=1
A1: Correct time.
A1
2

(d) r = –2e–2t i + (3t 2 – t 3)j + c

M1: Integration with either of the two components correct.
Do not need to see i or j.
A1: Correct i component.
A1: Correct j component.
Condone lack of + c
M1
A1
A1

When t = 0, r = 6i + 5j ∴c = 8i + 5j
dM1: Finding c using 6i + 5j and e0 = 1.
dM1

∴ r = (8 – 2e–2t )i + (5 + t 4 – t 3)j
A1: Correct position vector.
A1
5
[14]

Q3.
(a) v = 4.5i + 2j
B1: Correct velocity

B1
1

(b) v = 4.5j
B1: Correct velocity

B1
1

(c) Due North

B1: Correct direction

B1
1

(d) 4.5j = 4.5i + 2j + 5a

M1: Use of a constant acceleration
equation to find a
A1: Correct equation

M1A1

Page 12 of 33
 a=
A1: Correct acceleration

A1
3

(e) F = 250 (–0.9i + 0.5j) = – 225i + 125j

M1: Using Newton’s second law.

M1

F=
M1: Finding magnitude.
A1: Correct magnitude of the force

M1A1
3

(f)

B1: Diagram with arrow in the correct quadrant.

B1

M1: Use of trig to find an angle.

M1
A1: Correct angle from working.

A1

A1: Finding required angle correctly.

A1
4
[13]

Q4.
(a) Using F = ma,

Page 13 of 33
 400 cos t i + 600t2 j = 200 a
M1

a = 2 cos t i + 3t2 j
A1
2

(b)

M1 for either or 1 of 2 terms correct

M1

m1 for + c

A1m1

When t = 4, r = –3i + 56j,

64j + c = –3i + 56j

m1

c = –3 i – 8 j

Do not accept Accept 1.27 for

A1
5

(c) When particle is moving due west, northerly component is zero

M1

A1ft

t=2
A1
3

(d) When t = 2, v = –3i + 0j

Page 14 of 33
 B1ft

Speed of particle is 3 m s–1

B1 for change –3 to +3

B1
2
[12]

Q5.
(a) Resultant = (6i – 3j) + (3i + 15j)
= 9i + 12j
M1: Summing the two vectors

M1
A1: Correct resultant

A1
2

(b) Magnitude
= 15 N
M1: Finding magnitude with an addition
sign.

M1
A1F: Correct magnitude based on their
answer to part (a).

A1F
2

(c) 1.5m = 9 2m = 12
or
m = 6 kg m = 6 kg
M1: Applying Newton’s second law to
one or both of the components.

M1
A1F: Correct mass, follow through their
answer to part (a). Do not award this mark
if vector division with 2 components has
been used, eg

or 6i + 6j etc without a correct

previous statement gives M0A0

A1F
2

(d) (i)

Page 15 of 33
 M1: Using a constant acceleration
equation to find the position vector with
u = 0i + 0j

M1
A1: Correct position vector.

A1
2

(ii)

M1: Finding the position vector when

t=2
(r = (1.5i + 2j) × 2 = 3i + 4j scores M0
unless it is clear how the 2 was obtained,
possibly by a correct formula in (d) (i))

M1

A1: Correct distance

A1
2
[10]

Q6.

(a)

M1

i terms

A1
j terms

A1
3

(b) (i) When t = 3, v = –3.52i

Accept

B1

Page 16 of 33
 Speed is 3.52 m s–1

3.5 does not give 2nd B mark

B1
2

(ii) West

B1
1

(c) a=

M1A1

When t = 3, a = i + 2j or 2.24i + 2j

A1
3

(d) Using F = ma:

Accept F = 7a

M1

F=7

Magnitude of force is

M1

F = 21.025
F = 21.0
Accept 21

A1
3
[12]

Q7.

(a)

Page 17 of 33
 M1A1
2

(b) (i) a = (6t – 6)i + 2j

M1A1ft

Using F = ma:
F = (18t – 18)i + 6j

A1ft
3

(ii) When t = 3, F = 36i + 6j

Magnitude is

M1

= 36.5

Accept ; ft from (b)(i)

A1ft
2

(c) When F acts due north:

Component of F in the i direction is 0

M1

18t – 18 = 0
t=1
ft from (b)(i)

A1ft
2
[9]

Q8.
(a) F = 5j + 8i – 7j = 8i – 2j
Adding the two forces. For incorrect
answers, evidence of adding must be seen

M1
Correct resultant

A1
2

(b)
Finding magnitude (must see addition and
not subtraction)

M1

Page 18 of 33
 Correct magnitude

Accept or AWRT 8.25 (eg 8.246)

A1F
2

(c)

Diagram with force in the correct quadrant

and with correct direction shown by an arrow.

B1

tan
Using trig to find angle: if tan, 8 in
denominator; if sin or cos, 8.25 or their
answer to part (b) in denominator

M1

α = 14.0°
Correct angle
Accept 14.1 or 14 or AWRT 14.0 (eg 14.04)
M1 and A1 not dependent on B1

A1
3
[7]

Q9.
(a) Using F = ma:
2400i – 4800tj = 800a

M1

a = 3i – 6tj

A1
2

(b) v=

M1

= 3ti – 3t2j + c
Condone no ‘+ c’

Page 19 of 33
 A1

When t = 0, v = 6i + 30j
c = 6i + 30j
Needs ‘+ c’ above

M1

v = (3t + 6)i + (30 – 3t2)j

AG

A1
4

(c) r=

M1

=( t2 + 6t) i + (30t – t3) j + d

A1 i term, A1 j term; condone no ‘+ d’

A1,A1

When t = 0, r = 2i + 5j
d = 2i + 5j

M1

r=( t2 + 6t + 2)i + (30t – t3 + 5)j

A1
5
[11]

Q10.
(a) F = 12 costi – 30sintj
Use of F = ma

M1

F(0) = 6 × 2i so F = 12 N
Correct F

A1
Correct magnitude

A1
3

(b) v=

Page 20 of 33
 Integrating

M1

= (2sin t + c1)i + (5cost + c2)j

Correct i component

A1
Correct j component

A1
Both of above with or without constants

v(0) = 2i +10 j c1 = 2, c2 = 5
Finding constants of integration

dM1

v = (2 sin t + 2)i + (5 cos t + 5)j

Correct final answer

A1
5
[8]

Q11.
(a)
differentiating both components

M1
one component correct

A1
second component correct

A1
3

(b) (i)
substituting the value for t into their v

M1
correct velocity

A1
2

(ii) Travelling due south

correct description (Follow through from )

A1ft

Page 21 of 33
 1

(c) a = (12t – 2)i – 24tj

differentiating their velocity

M1

a(4) = 46i – 96i

correct acceleration at time t

A1
correct acceleration at t = 4

A1
3

(d)
apply Newton’s second law correctly

M1

finding magnitude

M1
correct magnitude

A1
3

or

[12]

Q12.
(a) a = 8 cos t i – 4 sin t j
M1 differentiation

M1A1

F = 2 cos t i – sin t j

A1
3

(b) (i) |F|=

Magnitude

M1

Page 22 of 33
 =

m1
CAO

A1
3

(ii) |≤|F|≤4
B1 each value (at end of range)

B1B1
2
[8]

Q13.
(a) (i) v = 2 cos 2ti + 6j
M1 differentiation (6t)

M1A1
2

(ii) |v|=
Sum of squares, for v or v2
M1
ft trig term v

A1F
CAO

A1
3

(iii) cos22t = 0 or cos 2t = 0

M1

t=
radians

A1
2

(b) (i) a = –4 sin 2t i

Differentiation attempt

M1

F = 0.25a
Used

Page 23 of 33
 M1

F = – sin 2t i
ft v, see vector

A1F
3

(ii) Direction is ± i

B1

|sin 2t| ≤ 1

B1
2
[12]

Q14.
Answers in (a), (b) and (c)(i) must be vectors

(a) a = 4ti + 3j
Must be vector, both i and j present

B1
1

(b) v = 2t2i + 3tj

Integration of acceleration attempted

M1
ft a, both i and j present

A1F
2

(c) (i) r=
Integration attempted

M1

A1 each term. Condone i and j missing.

–1 for constants present,
–1 for both terms unsimplified

A1A1
3

Page 24 of 33
 M1

Solve, ft v with vector components

A1F

A1F

Distance
Magnitude of r in any form

M1

= 4.06 (4.056)
Numerical answer, ft candidate’s r and t

A1F
5
[11]

Q15.

(a) –16i + 16j = a × 42

Use of vector constant acceleration equation

M1
Correct equation

A1

a= = –2i + 2j
Solving for a

M1
ag Correct a

A1
4

(b) v = 5(–2i + 2j) = –10i + 10j

Expression for v at t = 5

M1
Correct expression

Page 25 of 33
 A1

v= = 14.1 ms–1 (to 3 sf)

Finding magnitude

M1
Correct speed

A1
4

(c) 20i – 10j + Q = 3(–2i + 2j)

Application of Newton's second law to form equation

M1
Correct equation

A1

Q = (–20 – 6) i + (10 + 6) j = –26i +16j

Solving for Q

M1
Correct Q

A1
4
[12]

Q16.

(a) 40i – 15j = (5i – 2j + v) × 10

Use of constant acceleration equation with v unknown
Correct equation

M1 A1

v = 8i – 3j – 5i + 2j = 3i – j
Solving for v
Correct v

M1 A1
4

(b) 3i – j = 5i – 2j + 10a
Use of v = u + at

M1A1

a = –0.2i + 0.1j
Correct a

A1

Page 26 of 33
 3

(c) F = 15(–0.2i + 0.1j)

Use of F = ma

M1

= –3i + 1.5j
Correct F

A1

F= = 3.35
Finding magnitude of F
Correct magnitude

M1 A1
4
[11]

Q17.

(a) (i) a= (8i – 3j) = 2i – 3j

Use of F = ma, must be applied to both components

M1
Correct acceleration

A1
2

(ii) v = 20(2i – 3j) = 40i – 60j

Use of v = u + at with u = 0i + 0j

M1
Correct v

A1
2

(iii) r= (2i – 3j) × 202

Use of constant acceleration equation to

find r with u = 0i + 0j

M1
Correct expression

A1

= 400i – 600j
Correct r in simplified form

Page 27 of 33
 A1
3

(b) r = 400i – 600j + 25(40i – 60j)

Use of r + 25v

M1
Correct expression

A1ft

= 1400i – 2100j
Correct position vector

A1ft

r= = 2520 m (to 3 sf)

Finding magnitude

m1
Correct distance from correct working

A1ft
5
Alternative: Straight line method
M1 two distances r and 25v
A1 for each distance
m1 adding
A1 correct final answer
[12]

Q18.
(a) F = (3i + 4j) + (6i – 8j)
Addition of the two forces

M1
2

= 9i – 4j
Correct resultant

A1

(b) F=
Finding magnitude

M1
Correct magnitude

A1
2

Page 28 of 33
(c) tan α =
Using tan to find the angle

M1
Correct equation

A1

α = 24.0°
Correct angle

A1
3
[7]

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Examiner reports

Q1.
Again this question was done well by many students although some made minor errors. In
part (c) a few students found the acceleration (as 1.4i + 1.6j) and did not calculate the
magnitude. Also, in part (d) some students found the angle as 41° rather than 49°.
However many students gained full marks on this question.

Q2.
Most candidates showed that they knew the techniques involved in answering this
question. Candidates generally answered part (a) correctly. Part (b)(i) was answered well,
but in part (b)(ii) some candidates forgot to find the magnitude of F, giving instead just the
vector F, – 40i + 30j. Most candidates answered part (c) correctly. In part (d) the majority
of candidates integrated to find the position vector, but a common error was to forget the
+c term and thus to ignore the initial position vector. Some found the + c incorrectly,
assuming that c was the initial position vector.

Q3.
Most candidates answered parts (a), (b) and (c) well, although some did get an answer of
–4.5j for part (b).

In part (c), the candidates who clearly stated and used a constant acceleration equation
usually made a good start and completed the question, although there were a few
arithmetic errors.

In part (e) many candidates did not attempt to find the magnitude of the force.

Part (f) was generally found more difficult with only a few good attempts. Several
candidates did not attempt this part of the question.

Q4.
Virtually all candidates answered part (a) correctly. The common problem in part (b) was

in the integration of . Apart from this, answers to part (b) were good, and most
correctly found t = 2 in part (c). The majority of candidates also found correctly that the
speed of the particle was 3, with only a few finishing with the velocity of the particle being
–3 or –3i.

Q5.
Parts (a) and (b) were generally done well by the candidates. A few candidates subtracted
the vectors in part (a) instead of adding them. Also some tried to find the magnitude of
each vector in part (a) and then lost several marks because they had very confused
working.

In part (c) there were many attempts which involved the division of vectors. For example

working such as: m = = 6i + 6j. Candidates should be advised to consider the

components involved and not to attempt to divide vectors.

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 There were a number of errors that appeared in part (d). One was to include an initial
velocity, which was equal to the resultant force on the particle. A few candidates used
incorrect formulae. In the final part of the question a large number of candidates gave the
vector 3i + 4j as their final answer and did not find the magnitude in order to get the
distance as requested.

Q6.
Most of this question was answered well. In part (a), the only difficulty was found in

differentiating . In part (b), many found the velocity of the particle to be [or –
3.52i], but did not find the speed of +3.52 m s–1. Others gave the speed as 3.5 m s–1,
which was penalised. Those candidates who were successful in part (a) usually completed
parts (c) and (d) correctly.

Q7.
This question was generally answered well. The only common error was in part (b)(ii),
where a number of candidates found F to be 36i + 6j, but did not find its magnitude.

Q8.
This question was also done well by many candidates. In part (a), there were some
confused responses and occasional problems with minus signs. Part (b) was also
generally done well. In part (c), a few candidates had problems. The most common of
these was to omit an arrow from the diagram to show the force; the other was to use the

lengths incorrectly when calculating the angle, for example and .

Q9.
Most candidates completed this question successfully. A few used v = u + at in part (b)
and obtained v = (6 + 3t)i + (30 – 6t2) j, rather than the given answer. After they had done
the integration of a, a number of candidates ‘invented’ the 6i + 30j terms required.

Q10.
In part (a), many of the candidates found the force correctly, but some did not go on to
give the magnitude. A few candidates did not substitute t = 0. In part (b), the main problem
was with the integration of the trigonometric terms. A particular problem was with the signs
of the functions. Most candidates did attempt to find the constants of integration. A small
number of candidates tried to use v = u + at.

Q11.
There were very many good solutions to this question and a good number of candidates
scored full marks. Some candidates did however make errors. In part (a) there were some
cases where the candidates made some minor errors when differentiating one or both of
the components. In part (b) a few candidates had difficulties substituting t = 1/3 correctly,
but the biggest problem in this part of the question was the description of the direction.
While a number did state that the direction was south, some stated that it was north, even
though they had calculated the velocity correctly. Others did not use either north or south,
but gave answers that implied that j was a vertical unit vector.

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 Parts (c) and (d) were generally done well, but a few candidates experienced difficulties
with the differentiation and very occasionally with the substitution of t = 4 .

Q12.
Part (a) was frequently done well, with the most common error in part (a)(ii) being the
introduction into the equation of motion of an additional force, usually the weight of the
motorcycle and rider. Part (b) seldom produced assumptions backed by sound reasons.
The majority of responses referred to information given in the question. In part (c), the
most convincing solutions were based on the algebraic link between the force and the
radius. There was a tendency in part (c) to assume that the magnitude of the frictional
force could be altered by changing the radius of the circle, rather than the necessity to
adjust the radius to compensate for the force.

Q13.
Many candidates proved competent in handling vector expressions, but a significant
number lacked appreciation of vector and scalar quantities and the necessary notation.
Errors in differentiation of trigonometrical functions, particularly in signs, also spoiled
otherwise excellent solutions. Otherwise part (a) was done well, with the most frequent
error being in the failure to present an answer in radians in part (a)(iii). Responses in part
(b)(i) were variable, with scalar answers frequently presented, while in part (b)(ii), few
appreciated the variable nature of the direction of the force, and many seeming unaware
of both upper and lower bounds of the magnitude of the force.

Q14.
For those who were well prepared in the calculus techniques linking the quantities
involved, this question proved highly successful. Part (c)(ii) proved discriminating, as
expected, with only the most able candidates linking the components of the velocity vector
with the given vector in an appropriate way.

Q15.
Part (a) of this question was generally done very well, although some unusual vector
manipulation was observed on a few scripts. Several candidates worked with each
component and combined their results into a vector, rather than working with vectors
throughout their solutions.

In part (b), a large number of candidates found the velocity correctly, but did not then go
on to find the speed of the particle.

There were a fair number of good attempts at part (c). Some candidates made errors with
the signs when first setting up their equations. There were a few candidates who did not
make any significant attempt at this part of the question.

Q16.
This question was done well by quite a few candidates. Many of these found the
acceleration as part of their solution to part (a). The candidates who had difficulties were
those who did not realise that they needed to use a constant acceleration formula or those
who quoted an inappropriate formula as their starting point. A few candidates did have
difficulty with part (b), but several who had struggled with part (a) used the printed result to
enable them to attempt part (b). Those who had been successful with part (b) normally
went on to complete part (c).

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Q17.
Part (a) was done very well by a good number of the candidates. A few worked with the
magnitudes of the quantities, starting with the magnitude of the force, rather than with the
actual vectors. Part (b) was found to be much more demanding. The two main errors
made by the candidates were to assume that the particle still had the same acceleration
as in part (a) or to use a time of 45 s rather than 25 s for the second stage of the motion.

Q18.
A very small number of candidates seemed unsure how to deal with the vectors and made
very little progress with the question. The majority of candidates did produce quite good
solutions. Part (a) did not cause any particular difficulties. In part (b), some
candidates wrote instead of . Those who could visualise part (c)
had no difficulty, but some found it hard to identify a triangle to work in and tried to use the
sine or cosine rules. A few candidates produced incorrect expressions involving sin or cos
instead of using tan.

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