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Paper 3 · Mechanics8.4 Forces and Newton's laws

Question 1 · 6 marks

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Spec and skills
  • Paper scope: Paper 3 Mechanics
  • Spec M8.4
  • Spec M7.3
  • Original practice question
Particles PP and QQ, of masses 4 kg and 6 kg, are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string that passes over a smooth fixed pulley. The particles hang freely with the string taut and are released from rest.
(a)
Show that the acceleration of each particle is g5\frac{g}{5}.
3 marks

QQ moves down and PP up. Newton's second law for each.

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