Terry Lee Advanced Mathematics

Practice
Questions
Mechanics
d ⎛1 2⎞ 1 1
(a) (i) a = ⎜ v ⎟ = ( (4 − x) − 2 x(4 − x) ) = (4 − x)(4 − 3 x)
2

dx ⎝ 2 ⎠ 2 2
(ii) v 2 = x(4 − x) 2 ⇒ v = (4 − x) x .
dx
= (4 − x) x
dt
dx
∫ x (4 − x)
= dt ∫
Let u 2 = x,∴ 2u du = dx
dx 2u du 2du 1 ⎛ 1 1 ⎞
t=
∫ x (4 − x)
=
∫
u (4 − u2 )
=
∫ 4−u 2
=
∫⎜ + ⎟du
2 ⎝ 2+u 2−u ⎠

1 2+u 1 2+ x
= ln + C = ln +C
2 2−u 2 2− x
When t = 0, v = 0,∴ C = 0.
1 2+ x
∴ t = ln .
2 2− x
2+ x
e2t = .
2− x
2e 2t − e2t x = 2 + x .
2e 2t − 2 = x (1 + e2t ) .
2
.
2e2t − 2 ⎛ e 2t − 1 ⎞ ⎛ e 2t − 1 ⎞
∴ x= = 2⎜ 2t ⎟
,∴ x = 4 ⎜ 2t ⎟ m.
1 + e2t ⎝ 1+ e ⎠ ⎝ e +1⎠
4
(iii) At x = m its acceleration is zero, the particle starts slowing down. The time at the
3
Terry Lee Advanced Mathematics

3 +1 1 ( )
4 2
2+ 3 +1
1
moment is t = ln
2 2−
3
4
1
= ln
2 3 −1
= ln
2 2
1
( )
= ln 2 + 3 seconds.
2
3
(iv) The next time the particle stops (v = 0) is at x = 4 m. At that moment, its acceleration
is also 0, so it stops there permanently, however, this is its limiting position ( t → ∞ ).

(b)
A

α T

B T C

mg
(i) BC = r , AC = 3.6 − r
(3.6 − r ) 2 = 2.42 + r 2
r 2 − 7.2r + 3.62 = 2.42 + r 2
3.62 − 2.42
∴r = = 1.∴ BC = 1 m.
7.2
1
(ii) tan α = ,∴α = 22.6°.
2.4
Let T be the tension of the string, R the normal reaction. Resolving the forces,
Vertically, T cos α + R = mg (1)
Horizontally, T sin α + T = mrω 2
(2)
We want to find the maximum value of ω so that the particle is still in touch with the
table, i.e. R > 0.
mrω 2 cos α
Combining (1) and (2), R = mg − T cos α = mg − .
(1 + sin α )
mrω 2 cos α
R > 0, so mg − > 0.
(1 + sin α )
g (1 + sin α ) 10 × (1 + sin 22.6°)
∴ω 2 < = = 15.∴ ω < 3.9 rad/s.
r cos α cos 22.6°
∴The maximum value of ω is 3.9 rad/s.
(c) (i) Resolving the forces,
Tangentially to the circle, mrθ = − F , where F is the friction. (1)
Radially, mrθ = T , where T is the tension in the rod.
2
(2)
1
From (1), m = 1, r = ,∴θ = −2 F . (3)
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Terry Lee Advanced Mathematics

dθ 0 5

dt θ0 ∫
= −2 F ,∴ dθ = −2 F ∫ dt, where θ
0
0 is the initial angular velocity. (4)

−θ0 = −10 F ,∴θ0 = 10 F . (5)

∫θ0
θdθ = −2 F ∫0
dθ (6)

1
− θ0 2 = −4π F ,∴θ0 2 = 8π F .
2
8π 2π
Comparing with (5), 100 F 2 = 8π F ,∴ F = = newtons.
100 25

2π 4π
(ii) From (5), the initial angular velocity θ0 = 10 F = 10 × = rad/s.
25 5

2π  4π
(iii) Reintegrate (6), using F = ,θ0 = and different limits,
25 5
α
4π π

∫ 4π
5
θdθ = −
25 ∫0
dθ , where α is the angular velocity when θ = π .

1 ⎛ 2 16π 2 ⎞ 4π 2
⎜ α − ⎟ = −
2⎝ 25 ⎠ 25
16π 2 8π 2 8π 2 2 2π
∴α 2 = − = ,∴ a = rad/s.
25 25 25 5
2π  4π
Reintegrate (4), using F = ,θ0 = and different limits,
25 5
2 2π
4π
∫
T
dθ = − ∫
5
4π
dt , where T1 is the time to make a half turn.
25 0
5

2 2π 4π 4π T1
− =− .
5 5 25
10 − 5 2
∴T1 = s.
2
2
1 ⎛ 2 2π ⎞ 4π 2
From (2), when it has made a half turn the tension T = ⎜⎜ ⎟ = newtons.
2 ⎝ 5 ⎟⎠ 25