AS June 2024 Q4

EdexcelCurrent spec12 marksCentres of Mass

4.

Figure 3: right-angled triangle ABC with the right angle at A, AB horizontal along the top and AC = 6a vertical; rectangle DEFG with AD = a, DE = 2a and EF = 3a removed from the top edge, EB = 6a; the template is shaded
Figure 3

The uniform triangular lamina \(ABC\) has \(AB\) perpendicular to \(AC\), \(AB = 9a\) and \(AC = 6a\). The point \(D\) on \(AB\) is such that \(AD = a\).

The rectangle \(DEFG\), with \(DE = 2a\) and \(EF = 3a\), is removed from the lamina to form the template shown shaded in Figure 3.

The distance of the centre of mass of the template from \(AC\) is \(d\).

(a) Show that \(d = \dfrac{23}{7}a\) (3)

The template is freely suspended from \(A\) and hangs in equilibrium with \(AB\) at an angle \(\theta^\circ\) to the downward vertical through \(A\).

(b) Find the value of \(\theta\) (5)

A new piece, of exactly the same size and shape as the template, is cut from a lamina of a different uniform material. The template and the new piece are joined together to form the model shown in Figure 4. Both parts of the model lie in the same plane.

Figure 4: the shaded template ADGFEBC with AC vertical, joined along AC to the new piece CPQRSTA, its mirror image on the left with TS = 6a along the bottom, SR = 3a, RQ = 2a, PC = a; a horizontal force X is applied at T
Figure 4

The weight of \(CPQRSTA\) is \(W\)

The weight of \(ADGFEBC\) is \(4W\)

The model is freely suspended from \(A\).

A horizontal force of magnitude \(X\), acting in the same vertical plane as the model, is now applied to the model at \(T\) so that \(AC\) is vertical, as shown in Figure 4.

(c) Find \(X\) in terms of \(W\). (4)