A2 June 2024 Q2

EdexcelCurrent spec7 marksCentres of Mass

2.

Figure 1: framework ABCDEA: AC horizontal along the top with B its midpoint, ED horizontal below, and rods AE, EB, BD and DC; AB = AE = 4a
Figure 1

A uniform rod of length \(28a\) is cut into seven identical rods each of length \(4a\). These rods are joined together to form the rigid framework \(ABCDEA\) shown in Figure 1.

All seven rods lie in the same plane.

The distance of the centre of mass of the framework from \(ED\) is \(d\).

(a) Show that \(d = \dfrac{8\sqrt{3}}{7}a\) (4)

The weight of the framework is \(W\).

The framework is freely pivoted about a horizontal axis through \(C\).

The framework is held in equilibrium in a vertical plane, with \(AC\) vertical and \(A\) below \(C\), by a horizontal force that is applied to the framework at \(A\).

The force acts in the same vertical plane as the framework and has magnitude \(F\).

(b) Find \(F\) in terms of \(W\). (3)