Questions

Q1.

Two blocks, A and B, of masses 2m and 3m respectively, are attached to the ends of a light string.

Initially A is held at rest on a fixed rough plane.

The plane is inclined at angle α to the horizontal ground, where tan α =

The string passes over a small smooth pulley, P, fixed at the top of the plane.

The part of the string from A to P is parallel to a line of greatest slope of the plane.
Block B hangs freely below P, as shown in Figure 1.

The coefficient of friction between A and the plane is

The blocks are released from rest with the string taut and A moves up the plane.

The tension in the string immediately after the blocks are released is T.

The blocks are modelled as particles and the string is modelled as being inextensible.

(a) Show that T =

(8)
After B reaches the ground, A continues to move up the plane until it comes to rest before reaching P.

(b) Determine whether A will remain at rest, carefully justifying your answer.
(2)
(c) Suggest two refinements to the model that would make it more realistic.
(2)

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q03 9MA0/32, June 2019)

Q2.

A rough plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle α, where tan α =

A brick P of mass m is placed on the plane.

The coefficient of friction between P and the plane is μ

Brick P is in equilibrium and on the point of sliding down the plane.

Brick P is modelled as a particle.

Using the model,

(a) find, in terms of m and g, the magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on brick P
(2)

(b) show that μ =

(4)
For parts (c) and (d), you are not required to do any further calculations.

Brick P is now removed from the plane and a much heavier brick Q is placed on the plane.

The coefficient of friction between Q and the plane is also

(c) Explain briefly why brick Q will remain at rest on the plane.
(1)
Brick Q is now projected with speed 0.5 m s−1 down a line of greatest slope of the plane.

Brick Q is modelled as a particle.

Using the model,

(d) describe the motion of brick Q, giving a reason for your answer.
(2)

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(Q01 9MA0/32, Oct 2020)

Q3.
A small ball, P, of mass 0.8 kg, is held at rest on a smooth horizontal table and is attached
to one end of a thin rope.

The rope passes over a pulley that is fixed at the edge of the table.

The other end of the rope is attached to another small ball, Q, of mass 0.6 kg, that hangs
freely below the pulley.

Ball P is released from rest, with the rope taut, with P at a distance of 1.5 m from the
pulley and with Q at a height of 0.4 m above the horizontal floor, as shown in Figure 1.

Ball Q descends, hits the floor and does not rebound.

The balls are modelled as particles, the rope as a light and inextensible string and the pulley
as small and smooth.

Using this model,

(a) show that the acceleration of Q, as it falls, is 4.2 m s–2

(5)
(b) find the time taken by P to hit the pulley from the instant when P is released.
(6)
(c) State one limitation of the model that will affect the accuracy of your answer to part (a).
(1)

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q02 8MA0/22, June 2019)

Q4.
A ball P of mass 2m is attached to one end of a string.

The other end of the string is attached to a ball Q of mass 5m.

The string passes over a fixed pulley.

The system is held at rest with the balls hanging freely and the string taut.

The hanging parts of the string are vertical with P at a height 2h above horizontal ground and with Q at a
height h above the ground, as shown in Figure 1.

The system is released from rest.

In the subsequent motion, Q does not rebound when it hits the ground and P does not hit the pulley.

The balls are modelled as particles.

The string is modelled as being light and inextensible.

The pulley is modelled as being small and smooth.

Air resistance is modelled as being negligible.

Using this model,

(a) (i) write down an equation of motion for P,

(ii) write down an equation of motion for Q,
(4)
(b) find, in terms of h only, the height above the ground at which P first comes to instantaneous rest.
(7)
(c) State one limitation of modelling the balls as particles that could affect your answer to part (b).
(1)
In reality, the string will not be inextensible.
(d) State how this would affect the accelerations of the particles.
(1)

(Total for question = 13 marks)

(Q03 8MA0/22, Oct 2021)

Q5.

A small stone A of mass 3m is attached to one end of a string.

A small stone B of mass m is attached to the other end of the string.

Initially A is held at rest on a fixed rough plane.

The plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle α, where tan α =

The string passes over a pulley P that is fixed at the top of the plane.

The part of the string from A to P is parallel to a line of greatest slope of the plane.

Stone B hangs freely below P, as shown in Figure 1.

The coefficient of friction between A and the plane is

Stone A is released from rest and begins to move down the plane.

The stones are modelled as particles.

The pulley is modelled as being small and smooth.

The string is modelled as being light and inextensible.

Using the model for the motion of the system before B reaches the pulley,

(a) write down an equation of motion for A

(2)
(b) show that the acceleration of A is g
(7)
(c) sketch a velocity-time graph for the motion of B, from the instant when A is released from rest to the
instant just before B reaches the pulley, explaining your answer.
(2)
In reality, the string is not light.

(d) State how this would affect the working in part (b).
(1)

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q02 9MA0/32, Oct 2021)

Q6.

A car of mass 1200 kg is towing a trailer of mass 400 kg along a straight horizontal road using a tow rope,
as shown in Figure 2.
The rope is horizontal and parallel to the direction of motion of the car.

 The resistance to motion of the car is modelled as a constant force of magnitude 2R newtons

 The resistance to motion of the trailer is modelled as a constant force of magnitude R newtons

 The rope is modelled as being light and inextensible

 The acceleration of the car is modelled as a m s−2

The driving force of the engine of the car is 7400 N and the tension in the tow rope is 2400 N.

Using the model,

(a) find the value of a
(5)
−2
In a refined model, the rope is modelled as having mass and the acceleration of the car is found to be a1 m s

(b) State how the value of a1 compares with the value of a

(1)
(c) State one limitation of the model used for the resistance to motion of the car.
(1)
 (Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q04 8MA0/22, June 2023)

Q7.

A particle P moves along a straight line such that at time t seconds, t ≥ 0, after leaving the point O on the line,
the velocity, v m s–1, of P is modelled as

v = (7 – 2t)(t + 2)

(a) Find the value of t at the instant when P stops accelerating.

(4)
(b) Find the distance of P from O at the instant when P changes its direction of motion.
(5)
In this question, solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(Q03 8MA0/22, Oct 2020)

Q8.

Figure 2

A vertical light rod PQ has a particle of mass 0.5kg attached to it at P and a particle of mass 0.75kg attached to it at
Q, to form a system, as shown in Figure 2. The system is accelerated vertically upwards by a vertical force of
magnitude 15N applied to the particle at Q. Find the thrust in the rod.
(6)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

(Q01 6677/01, June 2017)

Q9.
 Figure 2

A vertical light rod PQ has a particle of mass 0.5kg attached to it at P and a particle of mass 0.75kg attached to it at
Q, to form a system, as shown in Figure 2. The system is accelerated vertically upwards by a vertical force of
magnitude 15N applied to the particle at Q. Find the thrust in the rod.
(6)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

(Q03 6677/01, June 2017)

Q10.

Figure 3

Two particles, A and B, have masses 2m and m respectively. The particles are attached to the ends of a light
inextensible string. Particle A is held at rest on a fixed rough horizontal table at a distance d from a small smooth
light pulley which is fixed at the edge of the table at the point P. The coefficient of friction between A and the table

is μ, where μ < .

The string is parallel to the table from A to P and passes over the pulley. Particle B hangs freely at rest vertically
below P with the string taut and at a height h, (h < d), above a horizontal floor, as shown in Figure 3. Particle A is
released from rest with the string taut and slides along the table.

(a) (i) Write down an equation of motion for A.

(ii) Write down an equation of motion for B.
(4)
(b) Hence show that, until B hits the floor, the acceleration of A is (1 − 2μ).
(3)
(c) Find, in terms of g, h and μ, the speed of A at the instant when B hits the floor.
(2)

After B hits the floor, A continues to slide along the table. Given that μ = and that A comes to rest at P,

(d) find d in terms of h.

(5)

(e) Describe what would happen if μ =

(1)

(Total for question = 15 marks)

(Q05 6677/01, June 2017)

Q11.

A ladder AB has mass M and length 6a.

The end A of the ladder is on rough horizontal ground.

The ladder rests against a fixed smooth horizontal rail at the point C.

The point C is at a vertical height 4a above the ground.

The vertical plane containing AB is perpendicular to the rail.

The ladder is inclined to the horizontal at an angle α, where sinα = , as shown in Figure 1.

The coefficient of friction between the ladder and the ground is μ.

The ladder rests in limiting equilibrium.

The ladder is modelled as a uniform rod.

Using the model,

(a) show that the magnitude of the force exerted on the ladder by the rail at C is
(3)
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the value of μ.
(7)

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q04 9MA0/32, Oct 2020)

Q12.

A particle P has mass 5 kg.

The particle is pulled along a rough horizontal plane by a horizontal force of magnitude 28 N.

The only resistance to motion is a frictional force of magnitude F newtons, as shown in Figure 1.

(a) Find the magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on P

(1)
The particle is accelerating along the plane at 1.4 m s−2

(b) Find the value of F

(2)
The coefficient of friction between P and the plane is µ

(c) Find the value of µ, giving your answer to 2 significant figures.

(1)

(Total for question = 4 marks)

 (Q02 9MA0/32, June 2023)

Q13.

A rough plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle α, where tan α =

A small block B of mass 5 kg is held in equilibrium on the plane by a horizontal force of magnitude X newtons, as
shown in Figure 1.

The force acts in a vertical plane which contains a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane.

The block B is modelled as a particle.

The magnitude of the normal reaction of the plane on B is 68.6 N.

Using the model,

(a) (i) find the magnitude of the frictional force acting on B,

(3)
(ii) state the direction of the frictional force acting on B.
(1)
The horizontal force of magnitude X newtons is now removed and B moves down the plane.

Given that the coefficient of friction between B and the plane is 0.5

(b) find the acceleration of B down the plane.

(6)

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q02 9MA0/32, June 2022)

Q14.

Unless otherwise stated, whenever a numerical value of g is required, take g = 9.8 m s−2 and give your answer to
either 2 significant figures or 3 significant figures.
 Figure 1

A wooden crate of mass 20 kg is pulled in a straight line along a rough horizontal floor using a handle attached to
the crate.

The handle is inclined at an angle α to the floor, as shown in Figure 1, where

The tension in the handle is 40 N.

The coefficient of friction between the crate and the floor is 0.14
The crate is modelled as a particle and the handle is modelled as a light rod.

Using the model,

(a) find the acceleration of the crate.

(6)
The crate is now pushed along the same floor using the handle. The handle is again inclined at the same angle α to
the floor, and the thrust in the handle is 40 N as shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2

(b) Explain briefly why the acceleration of the crate would now be less than the acceleration of the crate found in
part (a).
(2)

(Total for question = 8 marks)

(Q07 9MA0/03, June 2018)

Q15.
A vertical rope PQ has its end Q attached to the top of a small lift cage.

The lift cage has mass 40 kg and carries a block of mass 10 kg, as shown in Figure 1.

The lift cage is raised vertically by moving the end P of the rope vertically upwards with constant acceleration 0.2
ms−2

The rope is modelled as being light and inextensible and air resistance is ignored.

Using the model,

(a) find the tension in the rope PQ

(3)
(b) find the magnitude of the force exerted on the block by the lift cage.
(3)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

(Q04 8MA0/22, June 2022)

Q16.

Unless otherwise indicated, wherever a numerical value of g is required, take g = 9.8 m s–2 and give your answer to
either 2 significant figures or 3 significant figures.
 Figure 1

Two small balls, P and Q, have masses 2m and km respectively, where k < 2.
The balls are attached to the ends of a string that passes over a fixed pulley.
The system is held at rest with the string taut and the hanging parts of the string vertical, as shown in Figure 1.

The system is released from rest and, in the subsequent motion, P moves downwards with an acceleration of

magnitude

The balls are modelled as particles moving freely.

The string is modelled as being light and inextensible.
The pulley is modelled as being small and smooth.

Using the model,

(a) find, in terms of m and g, the tension in the string,

(3)

(b) explain why the acceleration of Q also has magnitude

(1)
(c) find the value of k.
(4)
(d) Identify one limitation of the model that will affect the accuracy of your answer to part (c).
(1)

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(Q09 8MA0/02, June 2018)

Q17.
A uniform rod AB has mass M and length 2a

A particle of mass 2M is attached to the rod at the point C, where AC = 1.5a

The rod rests with its end A on rough horizontal ground.

The rod is held in equilibrium at an angle θ to the ground by a light string that is attached to the end B of the rod.

The string is perpendicular to the rod, as shown in Figure 2.

(a) Explain why the frictional force acting on the rod at A acts horizontally to the right on the diagram.
(1)
The tension in the string is T

(b) Show that T = 2Mgcosθ

(3)

Given that cosθ =

(c) show that the magnitude of the vertical force exerted by the ground on the rod at A is
(3)
The coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground is μ

Given that the rod is in limiting equilibrium,

(d) show that μ =

(4)

(Total for question = 11 marks)

 (Q04 9MA0/32, June 2022)

Q18.

At time t = 0, a small ball is projected vertically upwards with speed U m s–1 from a point A that is 16.8 m
above horizontal ground.

The speed of the ball at the instant immediately before it hits the ground for the first time is 19 m s –1

The ball hits the ground for the first time at time t = T seconds.

The motion of the ball, from the instant it is projected until the instant just before it hits the ground for the first time,
is modelled as that of a particle moving freely under gravity.

The acceleration due to gravity is modelled as having magnitude 10 m s –2

Using the model,

(a) show that U = 5

(2)
(b) find the value of T,
(2)
(c) find the time from the instant the ball is projected until the instant when the ball is 1.2 m below A.
(4)
(d) Sketch a velocity-time graph for the motion of the ball for 0 ≤ t ≤ T, stating the
coordinates of the start point and the end point of your graph.
(2)
In a refinement of the model of the motion of the ball, the effect of air resistance on the ball is included and this
refined model is now used to find the value of U.

(e) State, with a reason, how this new value of U would compare with the value found in part (a),
using the initial unrefined model.
(1)
(f) Suggest one further refinement that could be made to the model, apart from including
air resistance, that would make the model more realistic.
(1)

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q01 8MA0/22, Oct 2020)

Q19.
A ramp, AB, of length 8 m and mass 20 kg, rests in equilibrium with the end A on rough
horizontal ground.

The ramp rests on a smooth solid cylindrical drum which is partly under the ground.
The drum is fixed with its axis at the same horizontal level as A.

The point of contact between the ramp and the drum is C, where AC = 5 m, as shown in
Figure 2.

The ramp is resting in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the drum,

at an angle θ to the horizontal, where tan θ =

The ramp is modelled as a uniform rod.

(a) Explain why the reaction from the drum on the ramp at point C acts in a direction
which is perpendicular to the ramp.
(1)
(b) Find the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the ramp at A.
(9)
The ramp is still in equilibrium in the position shown in Figure 2 but the ramp is not now
modelled as being uniform.

Given that the centre of mass of the ramp is assumed to be closer to A than to B,

(c) state how this would affect the magnitude of the normal reaction between the ramp
and the drum at C.
(1)

(Total for question = 11 marks)

(Q04 9MA0/32, June 2019)

Q20.

A particle P moves with acceleration (4i − 5j) m s−2

At time t = 0, P is moving with velocity (−2i + 2j) m s−1

(a) Find the velocity of P at time t = 2 seconds.

(2)
At time t = 0, P passes through the origin O.

At time t = T seconds, where T > 0, the particle P passes through the point A.

The position vector of A is (λi − 4.5j)m relative to O, where λ is a constant.

(b) Find the value of T.

(4)
(c) Hence find the value of λ
(2)

(Total for question = 8 marks)

(Q02 9MA0/32, Oct 2020)

Q21.

A beam AB has mass m and length 2a.

The beam rests in equilibrium with A on rough horizontal ground and with B against a smooth vertical wall.

The beam is inclined to the horizontal at an angle θ, as shown in Figure 2.

The coefficient of friction between the beam and the ground is μ

The beam is modelled as a uniform rod resting in a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the wall.
Using the model,

(a) show that μ ≥ cot θ

(5)
A horizontal force of magnitude kmg, where k is a constant, is now applied to the beam at A.

This force acts in a direction that is perpendicular to the wall and towards the wall.

Given that tan θ = ,μ= and the beam is now in limiting equilibrium,

(b) use the model to find the value of k.

(5)

(Total for question = 10 marks)

(Q03 9MA0/32, Oct 2021)

Q22.

A rod AB has mass M and length 2a.

The rod has its end A on rough horizontal ground and its end B against a smooth vertical wall.

The rod makes an angle θ with the ground, as shown in Figure 3.

The rod is at rest in limiting equilibrium.

(a) State the direction (left or right on Figure 3 above) of the frictional force acting on the rod at A. Give a reason
for your answer.
(1)
The magnitude of the normal reaction of the wall on the rod at B is S.

In an initial model, the rod is modelled as being uniform.

Use this initial model to answer parts (b), (c) and (d).
(b) By taking moments about A, show that

(3)
The coefficient of friction between the rod and the ground is µ

Given that

(c) find the value of μ

(5)
(d) find, in terms of M and g, the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the rod at A.
(3)
In a new model, the rod is modelled as being non-uniform, with its centre of mass closer to B than it is to A.

A new value for S is calculated using this new model, with

(e) State whether this new value for S is larger, smaller or equal to the value that S would take using the initial
model. Give a reason for your answer.

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q06 9MA0/32, June 2023)

Q23.

Figure 1

A particle P of mass 5kg is held at rest in equilibrium on a rough inclined plane by a horizontal force of magnitude

10N. The plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle α where tanα = , as shown in Figure 1. The line of action
of the force lies in the vertical plane containing P and a line of greatest slope of the plane. The coefficient of friction
between P and the plane is μ. Given that P is on the point of sliding down the plane, find the value of μ.
(9)

(Total for question = 9 marks)

 (Q02 6677/01, June 2017)

Q24.

Unless otherwise indicated, wherever a numerical value of g is required, take g = 9.8 m s–2 and give your answer to
either 2 significant figures or 3 significant figures.

A man throws a tennis ball into the air so that, at the instant when the ball leaves his hand, the ball is 2 m above the
ground and is moving vertically upwards with speed 9 m s–1

The motion of the ball is modelled as that of a particle moving freely under gravity and the acceleration due to
gravity is modelled as being of constant magnitude 10 m s–2

The ball hits the ground T seconds after leaving the man's hand.

Using the model, find the value of T.

(4)

(Total for question = 4 marks)

(Q06 8MA0/02, June 2018)

Mark Scheme
Q1.
Q2.
Q3.
Q4.
Q5.
Q6.
Q7.
Q8.
Q9.
Q10.
Q11.
Q12.
Q13.
Q14.
Q15.
Q16.
Q17.
Q18.
Q19.
Q20.
Q21.
Q22.
Q23.
Q24.