Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Scalars and vectors

Scalars and vectors — practice question

(a)[1]

Define velocity in terms of displacement and time.

(b)[2]

A remote-controlled toy aircraft is flying horizontally in a wind. Fig. 3.1 gives, to scale, the velocity vectors for the wind and for the aircraft in still air. The aircraft’s velocity in still air is $42\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ north. The wind’s velocity is $23\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ at $54^\circ$ east of south. Determine the magnitude of the aircraft’s resultant velocity.

(c(i))[3]

The engine of the aircraft in (b) fails. It then glides to the ground at constant velocity, making an angle $\theta$ with the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 3.2. The aircraft weighs $46\ \text{N}$ and covers a distance of $280\ \text{m}$ from point X to point Y. During its motion from X to Y, the change in gravitational potential energy of the aircraft is $6100\ \text{J}$. Assume that the wind is now absent. Calculate angle $\theta$.

(c(ii))[2]

Calculate the magnitude of the force on the aircraft due to air resistance.

(d)[3]

The aircraft in (c) travels from X to Y in a time of $14\ \text{s}$. Fig. 3.3 shows that, as the aircraft moves from X to Y, it goes directly towards an observer standing on the ground. The aircraft emits sound while travelling from X to Y. The observer hears sound of frequency $450\ \text{Hz}$. The speed of sound in air is $340\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. Calculate the frequency of the sound emitted by the aircraft.

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This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Change in displacement per unit time

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