Three particles of masses 3m, m and 2m are positioned at the points with coordinates

(a, 8), (–4, 0) and (5, –2) respectively.

Given that the centre of mass of the three particles is at the point with coordinates (k, 2k),
where k is a constant, find the value of a.
(5)
Three particles of masses 2m, 3m and 4m are placed at the points with coordinates
(–2, 5), (2, –3) and (3k, k) respectively, where k is a constant.
The centre of mass of the three particles is at the point ( –x , –y ).

2 + 12k
(a) Show that –x =
9 (2)
The centre of mass of the three particles lies at a point on the straight line with
equation x + 2y = 3
(b) Find the value of k.
(4)
 A

13a

13a

10a
F
B
Figure 1

The uniform lamina ABC has sides AB = AC = 13a and BC = 10a. The lamina is freely
suspended from A. A horizontal force of magnitude F is applied to the lamina at B, as
shown in Figure 1. The line of action of the force lies in the vertical plane containing the
lamina. The lamina is in equilibrium with AB vertical. The weight of the lamina is W.

Find F in terms of W.
(5)
 A 6a B
a
E F
4a
a

6a 4a
a
H

G
D C
Figure 1

The uniform lamina ABCD is a square of side 6a. The template T, shown shaded in
Figure 1, is formed by removing the right‑angled triangle EFG and the circle, centre H
and radius a, from the square lamina.

Triangle EFG has EF = EG = 4a, with EF parallel to AB and EG parallel to AD. The
distance between AB and EF is a and the distance between AD and EG is a.

The point H lies on AC and the distance of H from BC is 2a.

4(67 − 3π )
(a) Show that the centre of mass of T is a distance a from AD.
3(28 − π )
(5)

The template T is suspended from the ceiling by two light inextensible vertical strings.
One string is attached to T at A and the other string is attached to T at B so that T hangs in
equilibrium with AB horizontal.

The weight of T is W. The tension in the string attached to T at B is kW, where k is

a constant.

(b) Find the value of k, giving your answer to 2 decimal places.

(3)
4.
D

O C
A B
4a 2a a

Figure 1

The uniform lamina L, shown shaded in Figure 1, is formed by removing a circular disc
of radius 2a from a uniform circular disc of radius 4a. The larger disc has centre O and
diameter AB. The radius OD is perpendicular to AB. The smaller disc has centre C, where
C is on AB and BC = 3a
13
(a) Show that the centre of mass of L is a from B.
3
(4)

The mass of L is M and a particle of mass kM is attached to L at B. When L, with the

particle attached, is freely suspended from point D, it hangs in equilibrium with A higher
3
than B and AB at an angle θ to the horizontal, where tan θ =
4
(b) Find the value of k.
(5)
In this question you may use, without proof, the formula for the centre of mass of a
uniform sector of a circle, as given in the formulae book.

A d E

a a D
π
3 a

B d C

Figure 3

The uniform lamina ABCDE, shown shaded in Figure 3, is formed by joining a rectangle
to a sector of a circle.
• The rectangle ABCE has AB = EC = a and AE = BC = d
• The sector CDE has centre C and radius a
π
• Angle ECD = radians
3

The centre of mass of the lamina lies on EC.

(a) Show that a = 3d

(4)
The lamina is freely suspended from B and hangs in equilibrium with BC at an angle
β radians to the downward vertical.
(b) Find the value of β
(7)
 Leave
blank
2r
6. [The centre of mass of a semicircular arc of radius r is from the centre.]
π

24a
B
D

E C
7a

Figure 2

Uniform wire is used to form the framework shown in Figure 2.

In the framework,

• ABC is straight and has length 25a

• ADE is straight and has length 24a
• ABD is a semicircular arc of radius 7a
• EC = 7a
• angle AEC = 90°
• the points A, B, C, D and E all lie in the same plane

The distance of the centre of mass of the framework from AE is d.

53
(a) Show that d = a
2 (7 + π )
(4)

The framework is freely suspended from A and hangs in equilibrium with AC at angle α°
to the downward vertical.

(b) Find the value of α.

(7)
 P Q

3a
3a
R
V U 6a

6a

T S

Figure 3

The template shown in Figure 3 is formed by joining together three separate laminas.
All three laminas lie in the same plane.
• PQUV is a uniform square lamina with sides of length 3a
• URST is a uniform square lamina with sides of length 6a
• QRU is a uniform triangular lamina with UQ = 3a , UR = 6a and
angle QUR = 90°
The mass per unit area of PQUV is k, where k is a constant.
The mass per unit area of URST is k.
The mass per unit area of QRU is 2k.
The distance of the centre of mass of the template from QT is d.
29
(a) Show that d = a
14
(5)
The template is freely suspended from the point Q and hangs in equilibrium with QR at
θ° to the downward vertical.
(b) Find the value of θ
(7)
 P 2a Q ka R

ka

2a
V U

T S
Figure 2

The uniform lamina PQRSTUV shown in Figure 2 is formed from two identical
rectangles, PQUV and QRSTU.
The rectangles have sides PQ = RS = 2a and PV = QR = ka.

6  k 
(a) Show that the centre of mass of the lamina is   a from PV
 4  (3)
The lamina is freely suspended from P and hangs in equilibrium with PR at an angle
of α to the downward vertical.

7
Given that tan α =
15

(b) find the value of k.

(6)