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Contact Force
Question Paper 3

Level International A Level

Subject Maths
Exam Board CIE
Topic Forces and equilibrium
Sub Topic Contact Force
Booklet Question Paper 3

Time Allowed: 56 minutes

Score: /47

Percentage: /100

Grade Boundaries:

A* A B C D E U

>85% 777.5% 70% 62.5% 57.5% 45% <45%

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1
12 N 12 N

a a

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

A block of mass 2 kg is at rest on a horizontal floor. The coefficient of friction between the block and
the floor is µ . A force of magnitude 12 N acts on the block at an angle α to the horizontal, where
tan α = 34 . When the applied force acts downwards as in Fig. 1 the block remains at rest.

(i) Show that µ ≥ 6.

17
[5]

When the applied force acts upwards as in Fig. 2 the block slides along the floor.

(ii) Find another inequality for µ . [3]

2 A block of mass 6 kg is sliding down a line of greatest slope of a plane inclined at 8◦ to the horizontal.
The coefficient of friction between the block and the plane is 0.2.

(i) Find the deceleration of the block. [3]

(ii) Given that the initial speed of the block is 3 m s−1 , find how far the block travels. [2]
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3
CN

4N
P 30°

10 N

A particle P has weight 10 N and is in limiting equilibrium on a rough horizontal table. The forces
shown in the diagram represent the weight of P, an applied force of magnitude 4 N acting on P in a
direction at 30◦ above the horizontal, and the contact force exerted on P by the table (the resultant of
the frictional and normal components) of magnitude C N.

(i) Find the value of C. [3]

(ii) Find the coefficient of friction between P and the table. [2]

4
A

4m

C 5m B

ABC is a vertical cross-section of a surface. The part of the surface containing AB is smooth and A
is 4 m higher than B. The part of the surface containing BC is horizontal and the distance BC is 5 m
(see diagram). A particle of mass 0.8 kg is released from rest at A and slides along ABC. Find the
speed of the particle at C in each of the following cases.

(i) The horizontal part of the surface is smooth. [3]

(ii) The coefficient of friction between the particle and the horizontal part of the surface is 0.3. [3]
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5
3.2 N

Q
30°

Particles P and Q, of masses 0.2 kg and 0.5 kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible
string. The string passes over a smooth pulley at the edge of a rough horizontal table. P hangs freely
and Q is in contact with the table. A force of magnitude 3.2 N acts on Q, upwards and away from the
pulley, at an angle of 30◦ to the horizontal (see diagram).

(i) The system is in limiting equilibrium with P about to move upwards. Find the coefficient of
friction between Q and the table. [6]

The force of magnitude 3.2 N is now removed and P starts to move downwards.

(ii) Find the acceleration of the particles and the tension in the string. [4]

6
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