Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Newton's laws of motion

Newton's laws of motion — practice question

An elevator is drawn upward by a cable. It speeds up vertically at $0.4\,\text{m s}^{-2}$ for $5\,\text{s}$, then continues at a steady speed for $25\,\text{s}$. After that, it slows down at $0.2\,\text{m s}^{-2}$ until it is stationary.
(a)[3]

Find the greatest speed of the elevator and then sketch a velocity-time graph for its motion.

(b)[2]

Find the overall distance covered by the elevator.

(c)[3]

The elevator has mass $1200\,\text{kg}$ and a crate of mass $m\,\text{kg}$ is resting on its floor. If the tension in the cable while the elevator is slowing down is $12\,250\,\text{N}$, find the value of $m$.

(d)[3]

Find the greatest magnitude of the force exerted on the crate by the floor of the elevator, and give its direction.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: The greatest speed is $2\ \text{m s}^{-1}$

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