M1 June 2018 Q2

EdexcelOld spec10 marksResolving Forces

2.

Figure 1: particle on a plane inclined at 30 degrees, with a force of P newtons at 20 degrees to the horizontal
Figure 1

A particle of mass 2 kg lies on a rough plane. The plane is inclined to the horizontal at 30\(^\circ\). The coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane is \(\dfrac{1}{4}\). The particle is held in equilibrium by a force of magnitude \(P\) newtons. The force makes an angle of 20\(^\circ\) with the horizontal and acts in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the plane, as shown in Figure 1. Find the least possible value of \(P\). (10)