OCR Maths M2

Topic Questions from Papers

Circular Motion


PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
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1 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

One end of a light inextensible string of length 1.6 m is attached to a point P. The other end is attached
to the point Q, vertically below P, where PQ = 0.8 m. A small smooth bead B, of mass 0.01 kg, is
threaded on the string and moves in a horizontal circle, with centre Q and radius 0.6 m. QB rotates
with constant angular speed W rad s−1 (see diagram).

(i) Show that the tension in the string is 0.1225 N. [3]

(ii) Find W . [3]

(iii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the bead. [2]

5 (Q3, June 2005)

8
2
4729/S05

A particle P of mass 0.1 kg is moving with constant angular speed ω rad s−1 in a horizontal circle on
the smooth inner surface of a cone which is fixed with its axis vertical and its vertex A at its lowest
point. The semi-vertical angle of the cone is 60◦ and the distance AP is 0.8 m (see Fig. 1).

(i) Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the cone on the particle. [3]

(ii) Calculate ω . [4]

The particle P is now attached to one end of a light inextensible string which passes through a small
smooth hole at A. The lower end of the string is attached to a particle Q of mass 0.2 kg. Q is in
equilibrium with the string taut and AP = 0.8 m. P moves in a horizontal circle with constant speed
v m s−1 (see Fig. 2).

(iii) State the tension in the string. [1]

(iv) Find v. (Q8, Jan 2006) [6]

 4
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
3
6

A light inextensible string of length 1 m passes through a small smooth hole A in a fixed smooth
horizontal plane. One end of the string is attached to a particle P, of mass 0.5 kg, which hangs in
equilibrium below the plane. The other end of the string is attached to a particle Q, of mass 0.3 kg,
which rotates with constant angular speed in a circle of radius 0.2 m on the surface of the plane (see
Fig. 1).

(i) Calculate the tension in the string and hence find the angular speed of Q. [4]

The particle Q on the plane is now fixed to a point 0.2 m from the hole at A and the particle P rotates
in a horizontal circle of radius 0.2 m (see Fig. 2).

(ii) Calculate the tension in the string. [4]

(iii) Calculate the speed of P. [3]

(Q6, June 2006)

4729/S06
4
7 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

One end of a light inextensible string of length 0.8 m is attached to a fixed point A which lies above a
smooth horizontal table. The other end of the string is attached to a particle P, of mass 0.3 kg, which
moves in a horizontal circle on the table with constant angular speed 2 rad s−1 . AP makes an angle of
30◦ with the vertical (see diagram).

(i) Calculate the tension in the string. [4]

(ii) Calculate the normal contact force between the particle and the table. [3]

The particle now moves with constant speed v m s−1 and is on the point of leaving the surface of the
table.

(iii) Calculate v. physicsandmathstutor.com [6]

(Q7, Jan 2007)
3
−1
8 A missile is projected with initial speed 42 m s at an angle of 30◦ above the horizontal. Ignoring air
6
5 resistance, calculate
(i) the maximum height of the missile above the level of the point of projection, [3]
(ii) the distance of the missile from the point of projection at the instant when it is moving downwards
at an angle of 10◦ to the horizontal. [11]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable
effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will
A particle
be pleased P
to make amends ofat mass 0.3possible
the earliest kg isopportunity.
attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings. The other
OCR is end
part ofofthe the longer
Cambridge string Group.
Assessment is attached
CambridgeA
toAssessment the brand and
a fixed ispoint the
name of otherofend
University of the
Cambridge shorter
Local string
Examinations is attached
Syndicate (UCLES),
which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge. ◦
to a fixed point B, which is vertically below A. AP makes an angle of 30 with the vertical and is
0.4 m long. PB makes an angle of 60◦ with the
© OCR 2007 vertical.
4729/01 Jan07 The particle moves in a horizontal circle with
constant angular speed and with both strings taut (see diagram). The tension in the string AP is 5 N.

Calculate
(i) the tension in the string PB, [3]
(ii) the angular speed of P, (Q6, June 2007) [3]
 3
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
6 (i)
P

1.96 m

B
Q
1.96 m 0.3 kg
Fig. 1

One end of a light inextensible string is attached to a point P. The other end is attached to a
point Q, 1.96 m vertically below P. A small smooth bead B, of mass 0.3 kg, is threaded on the
string and moves in a horizontal circle with centre Q and radius 1.96 m. B rotates about Q with
constant angular speed ω rad s−1 (see Fig. 1).
(a) Show that the tension in the string is 4.16 N, correct to 3 significant figures. [2]
(b) Calculate ω . [3]

(ii)
P

30°

R
60°
B
1.5 m
0.3 kg
Fig. 2

The lower part of the string is now attached to a point R, vertically below P. PB makes an angle
30◦ with the vertical and RB makes an angle 60◦ with the vertical. The bead B now moves in a
horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m with constant speed v m s−1 (see Fig. 2).
(a) Calculate the tension in the string. [3]
(b) Calculate v. [3]
(Q6, Jan 2008)

7 A missile is projected from a point O on horizontal ground with speed 175 m s−1 at an angle of
elevation θ . The horizontal lower surface of a cloud is 650 m above the ground.

(i) Find the value of θ for which the missile just reaches the cloud. [3]

It is given that θ = 55◦ .

(ii) Find the length of time for which the missile is above the lower surface of the cloud. [5]

(iii) Find the speed of the missile at the instant it enters the cloud. [4]

© OCR 2008 4729/01 Jan08 [Turn over

 4
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
6
7

A
60°

P
0.4 m
0.5 kg

60°
B
physicsandmathstutor.com

3
A particle P of mass 0.5 kg is attached to points A and B on a fixed vertical axis by two light inextensible
4 strings
A car of ofmass
equal800
length. Both strings
kg experiences are taut and
a resistance of each
magnitude kv2 N,
is inclined 60◦ to kthe
at where is vertical (see
a constant v m s−1
diagram).
and
−1
The
is theparticle movesThe
car’s speed. withcar’s
constant
enginespeed 3 m s atinaaconstant
is working horizontal
ratecircle of radius
of P W. 0.4 m. when the car is
At an instant
−1 −2
travelling on a horizontal road with speed 20 m s its acceleration is 0.75 m s . At an instant when
Calculate
(i) car
the the tensions
is ascending a hill ofinconstant
the two slope 12◦ to the horizontal with speed 10 m s−1 its acceleration
strings. [7]
−2
is 0.25 m s .
The particle now moves with constant angular speed ω rad s−1 and the string BP is on the point of
becoming that k = 0.900, correct to 3 decimal places, and find P.
(i) Showslack. [7]

Calculate
(ii) power
The ω.
is increased to 1.5P W. [5]
(Q6, June 2008)
(ii) Calculate the maximum steady speed of the car on a horizontal road. [3]
7
A B
85
2 kg 3 kg A
4m

0.4 m
Two small spheres A and B of masses 2 kg and 3 kg respectively lie at rest on a smooth horizontal
platform which is fixed at a height of 4 m above horizontal ground (see diagram). Sphere A is given
an impulse of 6 N s towards B, and A then strikes B directly. The coefficient of restitution between A
8 rad s–1
and B is 23 . P
0.24 m
(i) Show that the speed of B after it has been hit by A is 2 m s−1 .
0.2 kg
[6]

0.3 mthe path of a projectile.

Sphere B leaves the platform and follows

(ii) Calculate the speed and direction of motion of BBat the instant when it hits the ground. [7]

A particle P of mass 0.2 kg is attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings, one of
length 0.4 m and one of length 0.3 m. The other end of the longer string is attached to a fixed point
A, and the other end of the shorter string is attached to a fixed point B, which is vertically below A.
The particle moves in a horizontal circle of radius 0.24 m at a constant angular speed of 8 rad s−1 (see
© OCR 2008 4729/01 Jun08
diagram). Both strings are taut, the tension in AP is S N and the tension in BP is T N.

(i) By resolving vertically, show that 4S = 3T + 9.8. [4]

cont on next page
(ii) Find another equation connecting S and T and hence calculate the tensions, correct to 1 decimal
place. [8]
 strut exerts
(i) By a forcevertically,
resolving on the beam inthat
show S = 3T +DC
the 4direction 9.8.. The beam carries a load of weight 50 N at [4]
its
end B (see diagram). PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
(ii) Find another equation connecting S and T and hence calculate the tensions, correct to 1 decimal
(i) Calculate
place. the magnitude of the force exerted by the strut on the beam. [4]
[8]

(ii) Calculate the magnitude of the force acting on the beam at A. (Q5, Jan 2009)
[6]
[Questions 6 and 7 are printed overleaf.]
4
9 A light inextensible string of length 0.6 m has one end fixed to a point A on a smooth horizontal plane.
The other end of the string is attached to a particle B, of mass 0.4 kg, which rotates about A with
constant angular speed 2 rad s−1 on the surface of the plane.

(i) Calculate the tension in the string. [2]

A particle
Permission P of where
to reproduce items mass 0.1 kgowned
third-party is attached to the
material protected mid-point
by copyright ofhas
is included the string.
been The
sought and line
cleared APB is straight
where possible. and
Every reasonable
−1 copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be
effort has been made by the publisher (OCR) to trace
rotation continues at 2 rad s .
pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

OCR is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES),
itself aCalculate
which is (ii) department of the tension
the University in the section of the string
of Cambridge. . AP [4]
© OCR 2009
(iii) Calculate the total kinetic energy of the 4729 Jan09
system. Turn over
[5]
physicsandmathstutor.com (Q4, June 2009)
© OCR 2009 4729 Jun09

107
O 5m

3m
!
P
0.2 kg

Fig. 1

A particle P of mass 0.2 kg is moving on the smooth inner surface of a fixed hollow hemisphere which
has centre O and radius 5 m. P moves with constant angular speed ω in a horizontal circle at a vertical
distance of 3 m below the level of O (see Fig. 1).

(i) Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the hemisphere on P. [3]

(ii) Calculate ω . [4]

O 5m

3m

0.1 kg
Fig. 2
cont on next page
A light inextensible string is now attached to P. The string passes through a small smooth hole at the
lowest point of the hemisphere and a particle of mass 0.1 kg hangs in equilibrium at the end of the
 Fig. 2
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
A non-uniform beam AB of length 4 m and mass 5 kg has its centre of mass at the point G of the beam
A lightAG
where = 2.5 m. The
inextensible beam
string is freely
is now suspended
attached from
to P. The its end
string A and
passes is held
through in a horizontal
a small position
smooth hole at the
◦
by means
lowest of aofwire
point attached to the
the hemisphere andend B. Theofwire
a particle makes
mass 0.1 kganhangs
angle in
of equilibrium
20 with theatvertical
the endand
of the
the
tension is T N (see diagram).
string. P moves in the same horizontal circle as before (see Fig. 2).

(iii) Calculate T
(i) Calculate . new angular speed of P.
the [3]
[8]

(ii) Calculate the magnitude and the direction of the force acting on the beam at A. (Q7, Jan 2010)
[7]

11
5

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45°
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whose work is used in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright
l
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For queries or further information please contact the Copyright Team, First Floor, 9 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1GE.
m
OCR is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group; Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department
of the University of Cambridge.

© OCR 2010 4729 Jan10

One end of a light inextensible string of length l is attached to the vertex of a smooth cone of semi-
vertical angle 45◦ . The cone is fixed to the ground with its axis vertical. The other end of the string is
attached to a particle of mass m which rotates in a horizontal circle in contact with the outer surface
of the cone. The angular speed of the particle is ω (see diagram). The tension in the string is T and
the contact force between the cone and the particle is R.

(i) By resolving√horizontally and vertically, find two equations involving T and R and hence show
that T = 12 m( 2 g + lω 2 ). [6]

(ii) When the string has length 0.8 m, calculate the greatest value of ω for which the particle remains
in contact with the cone. [4]
physicsandmathstutor.com
(Q5, June 2010)
2
[Questions 6 and 7 are printed overleaf.]
1
12
A B

0.6 m

© OCR 2010 D 4729 Jun10 C Turn over

A uniform square frame ABCD has sides of length 0.6 m. The side AD is removed from the frame,
and the open frame ABCD is attached at A to a fixed point (see diagram).

(i) Calculate the distance of the centre of mass of the open frame from A. [5]

The open frame rotates about A in the plane ABCD with angular speed 3 rad s−1 .

(ii) Calculate the speed of the centre of mass of the open frame. [2]
(Q1, Jan 2011)
The resistance to the motion of a car is kv N, where v m s−1 is the car’s speed and k is a constant.
3
2 2

The power exerted by the car’s engine is 15 000 W, and the car has constant speed 25 m s−1 along a
horizontal road.

(i) Show that k = 4.8. [3]

 (ii) Given that the mass of the car is 700 kg, calculate the power of the engine. [5]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
133
A

30°

0.5 m

B
60°

P
physicsandmathstutor.com
A particle P of mass 0.4 kg is attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings which are
3
both taut. The other end of the longer string is attached to a fixed point A, and the other end of the
is projected with speed 7 m s at an angle of elevation of 30◦ from a point O and moves
shorter string is attached to a fixed point −B1 , which is vertically below A. The string AP makes an angle
of 30◦ with the vertical and is 0.5 m long. The string BP makes an angle of 60◦ with the vertical. P
5 A particle
freely under gravity. The horizontal and vertically upwards displacements of the particle from O at
moves with constant angular speed in a horizontal circle with centre vertically below B (see diagram).
any subsequent time t s are x m and y m respectively.
The tension in the string AP is twice the tension in the string BP. Calculate
the tension
(i) Express in each
x and string,of t and hence find the equation of the trajectory of the particle.
y in terms [4]

(ii) Calculate the values of x when y = 0.6.

(ii) the angular speed of P. [4]
[4]
(Q3, Jan 2011)
© OCR 2011
when y = 0.6 and the particle is rising.
4729 Jan11
(iii) Find the direction of motion of the particle [4]

146

0.2 m
Q

0.12 m
P

30°

Fig. 1

A container is constructed from a hollow cylindrical shell and a hollow cone which are joined along
their circumferences. The cylindrical shell has radius 0.2 m, and the cone has semi-vertical angle 30◦ .
Two identical small spheres P and Q move independently in horizontal circles on the smooth inner
surface of the container (see Fig. 1). Each sphere has mass 0.3 kg.

(i) P moves in a circle of radius 0.12 m and is in contact with only the conical part of the container.
Calculate the angular speed of P. [5]

cont
(ii) on next page

Fig. 2
 Calculate the angular speed of P. B [5]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
(ii)
P

1.6 m Q

60°
A
Fig. 2

Q moves with speed 2.1 m s−1 and is in contact with both the cylindrical and conical surfaces of
A uniform rod AB of mass 10 kg and length 2.4 m rests with A on rough horizontal ground. The rod makes
an angle of 60° with the horizontal and is supported by a fixed smooth peg P. The distance AP is 1.6 m (see
the container (see Fig. 2). Calculate the magnitude of the force which the cylindrical shell exerts
diagram).
on the sphere. [4]
(i) Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the peg on the rod. [3]
(iii) Calculate the difference between the mechanical energy of P and of Q. [5]
(Q6, to
(ii) Find the least value of the coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground needed June 2011)
maintain
equilibrium. [Question 7 is printed overleaf.] [5]

154 A particle P of mass 0.2 kg is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length 1.2 m. The other end
of the string is fixed at a point A which is 0.6 m above a smooth horizontal table. P moves on the table in a
physicsandmathstutor.com
© OCR 2011 4729 Jun11 Turn over
circular path whose centre O is vertically below A.
3
−1
(i) Given that the angular speed of P is 2.5 rad s , find
4 A boy throws a small ball at a vertical wall. The ball is thrown horizontally, from a point O, at a speed of
−1
14.4 m andtension
(a)s the it hits the wallstring,
in the at a point which is 0.2 m below the level of O. [4]
(i) Find the normal
(b) the horizontal distance
reaction from O
between thetoparticle
the wall.
and the table. [4]
[3]
The
(ii) boy
Findnow moves possible
the greatest so that he is 6of
speed m P,
from thethat
given wall.
the He throws
particle the ball
remains at an angle
in contact of 15°
with the table.above the
[5]
horizontal. The ball again hits the wall at a point which is 0.2 m below the level from which it was thrown.
(Q4, Jan 2012)
5 (ii) Find the speed at which the ball was thrown.
A car of mass 1500 kg travels up a line of greatest slope of a straight road inclined at 5° to the horizontal. [6]
The power of the car’s engine is constant and equal to 25 kW and the resistance to the motion of the car is
constant and equal to 750 N. The car passes through point A with speed 10 m s−1.
165 A particle P, of mass 2 kg, is attached to fixed points A and B by light inextensible strings, each of length
2 (i)
m. A andthe
Find B acceleration
are 3.2 m apart with
of the carAatvertically
A. above B. The particle P moves in a horizontal circle with
[5]
centre at the mid-point of AB.
The car later passes through a point B with speed 20 m s−1. The car takes 28 s to travel from A to B.
(i) Find the tension in each string when the angular speed of P is 4 rad s−1. [7]
(ii) Find the distance AB. [7]
(ii) Find the least possible speed of P. [6]
(Q5, June 2012)
6 Three particles A, B and C are[Questions
in a straight line 7onare
6 and a smooth
printedhorizontal
overleaf.]surface. The particles have masses
0.2 kg, 0.4 kg and 0.6 kg respectively. B is at rest. A is projected towards B with a speed of 1.8 m s−1 and
collides with B. The coefficient of restitution between A and B is 13 .

(i) Show that the speed of B after the collision is 0.8 m s−1 and find the speed of A after the collision. [6]

C is moving with speed 0.2 m s−1 in the same direction as B. Particle B subsequently collides with C. The
coefficient of restitution between B and C is e.
© OCR 2012 4729 Jan12 Turn over
(ii) Find the set of values for e such that B does not collide again with A. [7]

[Question 7 is printed overleaf.]

 (iii) Find the time of flight of the shot. [2]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

178

6m

8m

4m

A conical shell has radius 6 m and height 8 m. The shell, with its vertex V downwards, is rotating about its
vertical axis. A particle, of mass 0.4 kg, is in contact with the rough inner surface of the shell. The particle is
4 m above the level of V (see diagram). The particle and shell rotate with the same constant angular speed.
The coefficient of friction between the particle and the shell is n .

(i) The frictional force on the particle is F N, and the normal force of the shell on the particle is R N. It is
given that the speed of the particle is 4.5 m s–1, which is the smallest possible speed for the particle not
to slip.

(a) By resolving vertically, show that 4F + 3R = 19.6 . [2]

(b) By finding another equation connecting F and R, find the values of F and R and show that
n = 0.336 , correct to 3 significant figures. [6]

(ii) Find the largest possible angular speed of the shell for which the particle does not slip. [6]
(Q8, Jan 2013)

185 A vertical hollow cylinder of radius 0.4 m is rotating about its axis. A particle P is in contact with the
© OCR 2013 4729/01 Jan13

rough inner surface of the cylinder. The cylinder and P rotate with the same constant angular speed. The
coefficient of friction between P and the cylinder is n .

(i) Given that the angular speed of the cylinder is 7 rad s−1 and P is on the point of moving downwards,
find the value of n . [5]

cont on nextispage
The particle now attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length 0.5 m. The other end is fixed
to a point A on the axis of the cylinder (see diagram).

4m
 (i) Given that the angular speed of the cylinder is 7 rad s−1 and P is on the point of moving downwards,
find the value of n . [5]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

The particle is now attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length 0.5 m. The other end is fixed
to a point A on the axis of the cylinder (see diagram).

4m

(ii) Find the angular speed for which the contact force between P and the cylinder becomes zero. [5]
(Q5, June 2013)
6
1 1
4ms ums

A B

0.2 kg m kg

The masses of two particles A and B are 0.2 kg and m kg respectively. The particles are moving with constant
speeds 4 m s−1 and u m s−1 in the same horizontal line and in the same direction (see diagram). The two
particles collide and the coefficient of restitution between the particles is e. After the collision, A and B
continue in the same direction with speeds 4 (1 - e + e 2) m s−1 and 4 m s−1 respectively.

(i) Find u and m in terms of e. [6]

(ii) Find the value of e for which the speed of A after the collision is least and find, in this case, the total
loss in kinetic energy due to the collision. [5]

(iii) Find the possible values of e for which the magnitude of the impulse that B exerts on A is 0.192 N s.
[4]

© OCR 2013 4729/01 Jun13