Mechanics

Modelling in Mechanic
8.1 Constructing
a model
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to be able to construct a Real-world
model of a physical situation, problem
sometimes by making assumptions

Set up
Mechanics deals with motion and the mathematical
action of forces on objects. We can model, deciding on
create mathematical models to assumptions and
simulate real-life situations, and adapt variables
these depending on the information
included.
Solve and Reconsider
interpret assumptions
The flow chart to the right
summarizes the mathematical
modelling process.
Is the answer
reasonable?

Report solution

8A
 Modelling in Mechanics
•You need to be able to construct a
  model of a physical situation,
h=2+1.1
  𝑥 − 0.1 𝑥 2
When first released, the
sometimes by making assumptions horizontal distance (x) is 0
h=2+1.1(0)−
  0.1(0)2
Calculate
The motion of a basketball as it leaves h=2
  𝑚
a player’s hand and passes through the
net can be modelled using the equation
, where h is the height of the ball
above the ground, and x is the h=2+1.1 𝑥 − 0.1 𝑥 2
  In this case, the
horizontal distance travelled (both in horizontal distance (x)
metres). is 0.5
h=2+1.1(0.5)−
  0.1(0.5)2
Calculate
a) Find the height of the basketball; h=2.525
  𝑚
i) When it is first released
ii) After it has travelled a horizontal
distance of 0.5m

8A
 Modelling in Mechanics
•You need to be able to construct a
  model of a physical situation,
h=2+1.1
  𝑥 − 0.1 𝑥 2 In this case, the
horizontal distance
sometimes by making assumptions (x) is 15
h=2+1.1(15)−
  0.1 (15)2
Calculate
The motion of a basketball as it leaves h=−
  4𝑚
a player’s hand and passes through the
net can be modelled using the equation
, where h is the height of the ball
above the ground, and x is the
horizontal distance travelled (both in
As height cannot be negative, the model is
metres). not valid if x = 15m

b) Use the model to predict the height

of the basketball when it is at a
horizontal distance of 15m from the
player

c) Comment on the validity of this

prediction

8A
8.2 Modelling
assumptions
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to understand the
implications of a number of key
terms used to explain assumptions

Assumption can simplify a problem,

helping you gain a clearer
understanding of it. Please look at
the definitions on page 121 and
ensure you understand the
implications of these assumptions.

Please be aware that these will

appear in most questions, so you will
get used to them!

8B
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to understand the
implications of a number of key The string is light and inextensible
terms used to explain assumptions  The string has no mass
 The string is of a fixed length (no stretching)

A mass is attached to a length of

string which is fixed to the ceiling.
The mass is drawn to the side with
the string taut and allowed to swing.

State the effect of the following

assumptions on any calculations to
be made: The mass is modelled as a particle
 Ignore the effects of air resistance
 No rotational effects of forces
a) The string is light and
inextensible
b) The mass is modelled as a
particle

8B
8.3 Quantities and
units
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and Quantity Unit Symbol
the types of forces that can be
involved in questions Mass Kilogram kg
Length /
Metre m
These base SI (System displacement
International d’unités) are most Time Seconds t
commonly used in Mechanics

Quantity Unit Symbol

These derived units are compounds Speed / Metres per
based on the units above ms-1
velocity second
Metres per
A Newton is defined as: Acceleration second per ms-2
“The force that will cause a mass of second
1kg to accelerate at 1ms-2” Weight /
Newton N (= kg ms-2)
force

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and R
the types of forces that can be The Normal Reaction
involved in questions
The normal reaction acts
perpendicular to the
surface which an object is
You will also encounter a variety of resting on
forces in mechanics, and you need
It is equal and opposite to
to know how they act: the force exerted on the
mg (mass surface by the object,
x gravity) which is determined largely
– ‘weight’ by gravity and the mass of
the object

The table matches the force from the brick,

which is why the brick remains still on the
table (there of course would be a maximum
possible weight the table could take, but we
will not worry about this for now!)

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and
the types of forces that can be
involved in questions Frictional Direction of
Force motion

You will also encounter a variety of

forces in mechanics, and you need
to know how they act:
Frictional Force
The frictional force opposes
motion between two ‘rough’
surfaces

Although it is a force, friction does not

cause movement in its own direction. It
just reduces the effect of another
force

Surfaces will have a maximum level of

friction where it is unable to completely
prevent movement

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and Tension in
the types of forces that can be string
involved in questions

You will also encounter a variety of

forces in mechanics, and you need Tension
to know how they act: If an object is being pulled
along (for example by a string),
then the force acting on the
object is called the Tension

Tension = PULLING force

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and
Thrust
the types of forces that can be
involved in questions

You will also encounter a variety of Thrust

forces in mechanics, and you need
If an object is being pushed along (for
to know how they act: example by a rod), then the force acting on
the object is called the Thrust (or sometimes
compression)

Thrust = PUSHING force

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and
the types of forces that can be Resistance
involved in questions Any object moving through air, fluid or a solid
will experience resistance caused by the
particles in the way

You will also encounter a variety of

forces in mechanics, and you need Gravity
to know how they act:
Gravity is the force between any object and
the earth.

 The Force caused by gravity acting on an

object is its weight

Buoyancy
Gravity is the upward force on a body which
allows it to float

 It is a bit like thinking about the normal

reaction between a boat and the water

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and
the types of forces that can be
involved in questions

Write the following quantities in SI 4000m

units:

a) 4km
b) 0.32g 0.00032kg or 3.2 x 10-4kg
c) 5.1 x 106 kmh-1

Multiply by 1000  5.1 x 109 mh-1

Divide by 3600  1.42 x 106 ms-1

8C
 Modelling in Mechanics
You need to know SI units and
the types of forces that can be Upward thrust
involved in questions

The plane to the right is mid-flight.

State the names of the labelled
forces acting on it.

Air Forward
resistance thrust

Weight

8C
8.4 Working with
vectors
 Modelling in Mechanics
A vector is a quantity that has
both magnitude and direction

Scalar quantities (magnitude Vector quantities (magnitude

only) and direction)

Quantity Description Unit Quantity Description Unit

Distance Measure of length m Distance in a
Displacement m
Measure of how specific direction
Speed quickly something ms-1 Rate of change of
Velocity ms-1
moves displacement
Time Measure of ongoing s Rate of change of
Acceleration ms-2
events velocity
Measure of the Described by
Mass quantity of matter in kg Force / magnitude, N
an object weight direction and point
of application

Note that scalar quantities will always be positive. Vector quantities can be either
positive or negative (when direction is taken into account)
8D
 Modelling in Mechanics
A vector is a quantity that has Particle A
both magnitude and direction
Velocity The particle is moving to the
A Acceleration right and its speed is increasing
Fully describe the motion of the
particles below: Particle B
Velocity The particle is moving to the
A B C D B Acceleration right and its speed is decreasing
Velocity +ve +ve -ve -ve
Particle C
Acceleration +ve -ve -ve +ve
Velocity The particle is moving to the left
Positive direction C Acceleration and its speed is increasing

Particle D
Velocity The particle is moving to the left
D Acceleration and its speed is decreasing

8D
 Modelling in Mechanics
A vector is a quantity that has  𝑦
both magnitude and direction
(0,1)

j
You can describe motion in 2D by
using vectors and the i, j notation.
0 i (1,0)  𝑥

 The vector i represents one unit

in the positive x-direction
 The vector j represents one unit
in the positive y-direction

You can use Pythagoras’ theorem

and trigonometry when vectors are
given in this way…
 The magnitude of a displacement
vector is distance, and the
magnitude of the velocity vector is
speed

8D
 Modelling in Mechanics
• A both
vector is a quantity that has
magnitude and direction
Draw a diagram!

The velocity of a particle is given by

5  𝒋
Find:
a) The speed of the particle
b) The angle the direction of
3  𝒊
motion of the particle makes You can use Pythagoras’ Theorem to find the
with the unit vector i. magnitude of the velocity (speed)

|  𝑣|= √3 2+52
Calculate
|  𝑣|= √3 4
Round to 3sf
−1
|  𝑣|= 5.83𝑚𝑠

8D
 Modelling in Mechanics
• A both
vector is a quantity that has
magnitude and direction
Draw a diagram!

Opp
The velocity of a particle is given by
5  𝒋
Find:
𝜃
 
a) The speed of the particle
b) The angle the direction of
3  𝒊 Adj
motion of the particle makes
with the unit vector i. You can use Trigonometry to find the angle between
the direction of motion and the unit vector i
5
𝑇  𝑎𝑛 𝜃=
3
Inverse Tan
5
 
𝜃=𝑇𝑎𝑛 −1
( )
3 Calculate and
° round to 3sf
𝜃
  =59. 0

8D
 Modelling in Mechanics
A vector is a quantity that has
𝐵
  Draw a diagram!
both magnitude and direction 6  𝒊+4 𝒋

A man walks from A to B and then

from B to C. His displacement from
 𝐴 5  𝒊−12 𝒋
A to B is 6i + 4j km. His
displacement from B to C is 5i – 12j
km.
13.6
  𝑘𝑚
a) What is the magnitude of the 𝐶
 
displacement from A to C?  𝐴𝐶=⃗
⃗ 𝐴𝐵+ ⃗
𝐵𝐶
Use vector notation
to add AB and BC
b) What is the total distance the  𝐴𝐶= 6 + 5
man walked in getting from A to
⃗
( )(
4 − 12 )
C? Calculate
 𝐴𝐶=( 11 )
⃗
−8
Use Pythagoras’ Theorem
2 2
|  𝐴𝐶|= √ (11) +(− 8)
Calculate
|  𝐴𝐶|=13.6 𝑘𝑚
8D
 Modelling in Mechanics
A vector is a quantity that has
𝐵
  Draw a diagram!
both magnitude and direction 6  𝒊+4 𝒋

A man walks from A to B and then

from B to C. His displacement from
 𝐴 5  𝒊−12 𝒋
A to B is 6i + 4j km. His
displacement from B to C is 5i – 12j
km.
13.6
  𝑘𝑚
a) What is the magnitude of the 𝐶
 
displacement from A to C? 𝑇  𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙=|⃗
𝐴𝐵|+|⃗
𝐵𝐶| Use vector
notation to add
b) What is the total distance the 2 2 2 2 AB and BC
man walked in getting from A to   𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙= √ (6) +(4) + √ (5) +(−12)
𝑇
C? Calculate
𝑇  𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙=20.2 𝑘𝑚

8D