Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Subject content
4 Mechanics (for Paper 4)
Questions set will be mainly numerical, and will aim to test mechanical principles without involving difficult
algebra or trigonometry. However, candidates should be familiar in particular with the following trigonometrical
results:
sin ^90c - ih / cos i , cos ^90c - ih / sin i , tan i / cos i , sin 2 i + cos 2 i / 1.
sin i
Knowledge of algebraic methods from the content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 is assumed.
This content list refers to the equilibrium or motion of a ‘particle’. Examination questions may involve extended
bodies in a ‘realistic’ context, but these extended bodies should be treated as particles, so any force acting on
them is modelled as acting at a single point.
Vector notation will not be used in the question papers.
4.1 Forces and equilibrium
Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples
• identify the forces acting in a given situation e.g. by drawing a force diagram.
• understand the vector nature of force, and find Calculations are always required, not approximate
and use components and resultants solutions by scale drawing.
• use the principle that, when a particle is in Solutions by resolving are usually expected, but
equilibrium, the vector sum of the forces acting equivalent methods (e.g. triangle of forces, Lami’s
is zero, or equivalently, that the sum of the Theorem, where suitable) are also acceptable; these
components in any direction is zero other methods are not required knowledge, and will
not be referred to in questions.
• understand that a contact force between two
surfaces can be represented by two components,
the normal component and the frictional
component
• use the model of a ‘smooth’ contact, and
understand the limitations of this model
• understand the concepts of limiting friction Terminology such as ‘about to slip’ may be used to
and limiting equilibrium, recall the definition of mean ‘in limiting equilibrium’ in questions.
coefficient of friction, and use the relationship
F = nR or F G nR , as appropriate
• use Newton’s third law. e.g. the force exerted by a particle on the ground
is equal and opposite to the force exerted by the
ground on the particle.
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Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Subject content
4 Mechanics
4.2 Kinematics of motion in a straight line
Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples
• understand the concepts of distance and speed Restricted to motion in one dimension only.
as scalar quantities, and of displacement, velocity The term ‘deceleration’ may sometimes be used in
and acceleration as vector quantities the context of decreasing speed.
• sketch and interpret displacement–time graphs
and velocity–time graphs, and in particular
appreciate that
– the area under a velocity–time graph
represents displacement,
– the gradient of a displacement–time graph
represents velocity,
– the gradient of a velocity–time graph
represents acceleration
• use differentiation and integration with respect Calculus required is restricted to techniques from the
to time to solve simple problems concerning content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1.
displacement, velocity and acceleration
• use appropriate formulae for motion with Questions may involve setting up more than one
constant acceleration in a straight line. equation, using information about the motion of
different particles.
4.3 Momentum
Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples
• use the definition of linear momentum and show For motion in one dimension only.
understanding of its vector nature
• use conservation of linear momentum to solve Including direct impact of two bodies where the
problems that may be modelled as the direct bodies coalesce on impact.
impact of two bodies. Knowledge of impulse and the coefficient of
restitution is not required.
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Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Subject content
4 Mechanics
4.4 Newton’s laws of motion
Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples
• apply Newton’s laws of motion to the linear If any other forces resisting motion are to be
motion of a particle of constant mass moving considered (e.g. air resistance) this will be indicated in
under the action of constant forces, which may the question.
include friction, tension in an inextensible string
and thrust in a connecting rod
• use the relationship between mass and weight W = mg. In this component, questions are mainly
numerical, and use of the approximate numerical
value 10 (m s–2) for g is expected.
• solve simple problems which may be modelled as Including, for example, motion of a particle on a
the motion of a particle moving vertically or on rough plane where the acceleration while moving
an inclined plane with constant acceleration up the plane is different from the acceleration while
moving down the plane.
• solve simple problems which may be modelled as e.g. particles connected by a light inextensible string
the motion of connected particles. passing over a smooth pulley, or a car towing a trailer
by means of either a light rope or a light rigid tow-
bar.
4.5 Energy, work and power
Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples
• understand the concept of the work done by a W = Fd cos i ;
force, and calculate the work done by a constant Use of the scalar product is not required.
force when its point of application undergoes a
displacement not necessarily parallel to the force
• understand the concepts of gravitational
potential energy and kinetic energy, and use
appropriate formulae
• understand and use the relationship between the Including cases where the motion may not be linear
change in energy of a system and the work done (e.g. a child on a smooth curved ‘slide’), where only
by the external forces, and use in appropriate overall energy changes need to be considered.
cases the principle of conservation of energy
• use the definition of power as the rate at which Including calculation of (average) power as
a force does work, and use the relationship Work done
.
between power, force and velocity for a force Time taken
acting in the direction of motion P = Fv.
• solve problems involving, for example, the
instantaneous acceleration of a car moving on a
hill against a resistance.
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