M1 – Inclined Planes – Coefficient of Friction

Q1.

A broom is being used to sweep a rough horizontal floor. The handle of the broom makes a constant
angle of 40° with the horizontal, as shown in Figure 1. The broom head is modelled as a particle of mass
0.5 kg and the handle of the broom is modelled as a light rod. The coefficient of friction between the

broom head and the floor is . The broom head is pushed along the floor in a straight line at constant
speed. Find the magnitude of the force that is being applied along the handle of the broom to the broom
head.

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q2.

A package of mass 6 kg is held at rest at a fixed point A on a rough plane. The plane is inclined at 30° to
the horizontal. The package is released from rest and slides down a line of greatest slope of the plane.

The coefficient of friction between the package and the plane is . The package is modelled as a
particle.

(a) Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the package.

(6)
As it slides down the slope the package passes through the point B, where AB = 10 m.

(b) Find the speed of the package as it passes through B.

(2)

(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q3.

A particle P of mass 2 kg is pushed up a line of greatest slope of a rough plane by a

horizontal force of magnitude X newtons, as shown in Figure 2. The force acts in the
vertical plane which contains P and a line of greatest slope of the plane. The plane is
inclined to the horizontal at an angle α, where tan α = ¾

The coefficient of friction between P and the plane is 0.5

Given that the acceleration of P is 1.45 m s–2, find the value of X.

(10)

(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q4.

A particle P of mass 2 kg is pushed by a constant horizontal force of magnitude 30 N up a line of greatest

slope of a rough plane. The plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle α, where tan α = , as shown
in Figure 1. The line of action of the force lies in the vertical plane containing P and the line of greatest
slope of the plane. The particle P starts from rest. The coefficient of friction between P and the plane is μ.
After 2 seconds, P has travelled a distance of 5.5 m up the plane.

(a) Find the acceleration of P up the plane.

(2)
(b) Find the value of μ.
(8)

(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q5.

A particle A of mass 3m is held at rest on a rough horizontal table. The particle is attached
to one end of a light inextensible string. The string passes over a small smooth pulley P
which is fixed at the edge of the table. The other end of the string is attached to a
particle B of mass 2m, which hangs freely, vertically below P. The system is released from
rest, with the string taut, when A is 1.3 m from P and B is 1 m above the horizontal floor,
as shown in Figure 3.

Given that B hits the floor 2 s after release and does not rebound,

(a) find the acceleration of A during the first two seconds,

(2)
(b) find the coefficient of friction between A and the table,
(8)
(c) determine whether A reaches the pulley.
(6)

(Total for question = 16 marks)