June 2024 Paper 3 Mechanics Q4

EdexcelCurrent spec11 marksVariable Acceleration (Calculus)Vectors

4.

In this question you must show all stages of your working.

Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.

[In this question, \(\mathbf{i}\) is a unit vector due east and \(\mathbf{j}\) is a unit vector due north. Position vectors are given relative to a fixed origin \(O\).]

At time \(t\) seconds, \(t \geqslant 1\), the position vector of a particle \(P\) is \(\mathbf{r}\) metres, where

\[\mathbf{r} = ct^{\frac{1}{2}}\mathbf{i} - \frac{3}{8}t^2\mathbf{j}\]

and \(c\) is a constant.

When \(t = 4\), the bearing of \(P\) from \(O\) is \(135^\circ\)

(a) Show that \(c = 3\) (3)
(b) Find the speed of \(P\) when \(t = 4\) (4)

When \(t = T\), \(P\) is accelerating in the direction of \((-\mathbf{i} - 27\mathbf{j})\).

(c) Find the value of \(T\). (4)