2006 Paper 1 Q9

Year: 2006
Paper: 1
Question Number: 9

Course: LFM Pure and Mechanics
Section: Motion on a slope

Difficulty: 1500.0 Banger: 1484.0

Problem

A block of mass \(4\,\)kg is at rest on a smooth, horizontal table. A smooth pulley \(P\) is fixed to one edge of the table and a smooth pulley \(Q\) is fixed to the opposite edge. The two pulleys and the block lie in a straight line. Two horizontal strings are attached to the block. One string runs over pulley \(P\); a particle of mass \(x\,\)kg hangs at the end of this string. The other string runs over pulley \(Q\); a particle of mass \(y\,\)kg hangs at the end of this string, where \(x > y\) and \(x + y = 6\,\). The system is released from rest with the strings taut. When the \(4\,\)kg block has moved a distance \(d\), the string connecting it to the particle of mass \(x\,\)kg is cut. Show that the time taken by the block from the start of the motion until it first returns to rest (assuming that it does not reach the edge of the table) is \(\sqrt{d/(5g)\,} \,\f(y)\), where \[ \f(y)= \frac{10}{ \sqrt{6-2y}}+ \left(1 + \frac{4}{ y} \right) \sqrt {6 -2y}. \] Calculate the value of \(y\) for which \(\f'(y)=0\).

No solution available for this problem.

Rating Information

Difficulty Rating: 1500.0

Difficulty Comparisons: 0

Banger Rating: 1484.0

Banger Comparisons: 1

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Problem source
A block of mass $4\,$kg is at rest on a smooth, horizontal
table. A smooth pulley $P$ is fixed to one edge 
of the table and a  smooth pulley $Q$ is fixed to the opposite edge. 
The two pulleys and the block lie in a straight line.
Two horizontal strings are attached to the block. 
One string runs over pulley $P$; a particle of mass $x\,$kg hangs  at the end of this 
string. 
The other string runs over pulley $Q$;   a particle of mass $y\,$kg hangs
at the end of this string, where $x > y$ and $x + y = 6\,$.
The system is released from rest with the strings taut. 
When the $4\,$kg block has moved a distance $d$, 
the string connecting it to the particle of mass $x\,$kg is cut. 
Show that the time taken by the block from the 
start of the motion until it first returns to rest 
(assuming that it does not reach the edge of the table)
is $\sqrt{d/(5g)\,} \,\f(y)$, where
\[
\f(y)= \frac{10}{  \sqrt{6-2y}}+  \left(1 + \frac{4}{ y} \right) \sqrt {6 -2y}.
\]
Calculate the value of $y$ for which $\f'(y)=0$.