Paper Reference(s)

6677/01
Edexcel GCE
Mechanics M1
Silver Level S1
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials required for examination Items included with question papers
Mathematical Formulae (Green) Nil

Candidates may use any calculator allowed by the regulations of the Joint
Council for Qualifications. Calculators must not have the facility for symbolic
algebra manipulation, differentiation and integration, or have retrievable
mathematical formulas stored in them.

Instructions to Candidates
In the boxes on the answer book, write the name of the examining body (Edexcel), your
centre number, candidate number, the unit title (Mechanics M1), the paper reference (6677),
your surname, other name and signature.
Whenever a numerical value of g is required, take g = 9.8 m s−2.
When a calculator is used, the answer should be given to an appropriate degree of accuracy.

Information for Candidates

A booklet ‘Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables’ is provided.
Full marks may be obtained for answers to ALL questions.
There are 8 questions in this question paper. The total mark for this paper is 75.

Advice to Candidates
You must ensure that your answers to parts of questions are clearly labelled.
You must show sufficient working to make your methods clear to the Examiner. Answers
without working may gain no credit.

Suggested grade boundaries for this paper:

A* A B C D E
71 63 56 47 36 29

Silver 1 This publication may only be reproduced in accordance with Edexcel Limited copyright policy.
2007–2013 Edexcel Limited.
1. Two particles A and B have masses 4 kg and m kg respectively. They are moving towards
each other in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal table when they collide directly.
Immediately before the collision, the speed of A is 5 m s–1 and the speed of B is 3 m s–1.
Immediately after the collision, the direction of motion of A is unchanged and the speed
of A is 1 m s–1.

(a) Find the magnitude of the impulse exerted on A in the collision.

(2)
Immediately after the collision, the speed of B is 2 m s–1.

(b) Find the value of m.

(4)

2. Particle P has mass m kg and particle Q has mass 3m kg. The particles are moving in opposite
directions along a smooth horizontal plane when they collide directly. Immediately before the
collision P has speed 4u m s−1 and Q has speed ku m s−1, where k is a constant. As a result of
the collision the direction of motion of each particle is reversed and the speed of each particle
is halved.

(a) Find the value of k.

(4)
(b) Find, in terms of m and u, the magnitude of the impulse exerted on P by Q.
(3)

3. Figure 3

A uniform rod AB has length 1.5 m and mass 8 kg. A particle of mass m kg is attached to the
rod at B. The rod is supported at the point C, where AC = 0.9 m, and the system is in
equilibrium with AB horizontal, as shown in Figure 2.

(a) Show that m = 2.

(4)

A particle of mass 5 kg is now attached to the rod at A and the support is moved from C to a
point D of the rod. The system, including both particles, is again in equilibrium with AB
horizontal.

(b) Find the distance AD.

(5)

Silver 1: 6/14 2
3. A particle P of mass 0.4 kg moves under the action of a single constant force F newtons. The
acceleration of P is (6i + 8j) m s–2 . Find

(a) the angle between the acceleration and i,

(2)
(b) the magnitude of F.
(3)

At time t seconds the velocity of P is v m s–1 . Given that when t = 0, v = 9i – 10j,

(c) find the velocity of P when t = 5.

(3)

5. A plank PQR, of length 8 m and mass 20 kg, is in equilibrium in a horizontal position on two
supports at P and Q, where PQ = 6 m.

A child of mass 40 kg stands on the plank at a distance of 2 m from P and a block of mass
M kg is placed on the plank at the end R. The plank remains horizontal and in equilibrium.
The force exerted on the plank by the support at P is equal to the force exerted on the plank
by the support at Q.

By modelling the plank as a uniform rod, and the child and the block as particles,

(a) (i) find the magnitude of the force exerted on the plank by the support at P,

(ii) find the value of M.

(10)
(b) State how, in your calculations, you have used the fact that the child and the block can be
modelled as particles.
(1)

5. Two cars P and Q are moving in the same direction along the same straight horizontal road.
Car P is moving with constant speed 25 m s−1. At time t = 0, P overtakes Q which is moving
with constant speed 20 m s−1. From t = T seconds, P decelerates uniformly, coming to rest at a
point X which is 800 m from the point where P overtook Q. From t = 25 s, Q decelerates
uniformly, coming to rest at the same point X at the same instant as P.

(a) Sketch, on the same axes, the speed-time graphs of the two cars for the period from t = 0
to the time when they both come to rest at the point X.
(4)
(b) Find the value of T.
(8)

Silver 1: 6/14 3
6. [In this question, the unit vectors i and j are due east and due north respectively. Position
vectors are relative to a fixed origin O.]

A ship sets sail at 9 a.m. from a port P and moves with constant velocity. The position vector
of P is (4i – 8j) km. At 9.30 a.m. the ship is at the point with position vector (i – 4j) km.

(a) Find the speed of the ship in km h–1.

(4)
(b) Show that the position vector r km of the ship, t hours after 9 a.m., is given by

r = (4 – 6t)i + (8t – 8)j.

(2)

At 10 a.m. a passenger on the ship observes that a lighthouse L is due west of the ship.
At 10.30 a.m. the passenger observes that L is now south-west of the ship.

(c) Find the position vector of L.

(5)

7. [In this question, the horizontal unit vectors i and j are directed due east and due north
respectively.]

The velocity, v m s–1, of a particle P at time t seconds is given by

v = (1 – 2t)i + (3t – 3)j.

(a) Find the speed of P when t = 0.

(3)
(b) Find the bearing on which P is moving when t = 2.
(2)
(c) Find the value of t when P is moving

(i) parallel to j,

(ii) parallel to (–i – 3j).

(6)

TOTAL FOR PAPER: 75 MARKS

END

Silver 1: 6/14 4
Question
Scheme Marks
Number

Q2
4u ku
(a)
P Q
I I
2u ku
2
u
4mu − 3mku = −2mu + 3mk M1 A1
2
4 M1 A1cso
k=
3 (4)

(b) For P, I = m (2u - -4u) M1 A1

A1
= 6mu
(3)
[7]

Silver 1: 6/14 5
 Question
Scheme Marks
Number

3. (a) ( ) (
M(C) 8g × 0.9 − 0.75 = mg 1.5 − 0.9 ) M1 A1
Solving to m = 2  cso DM1 A1 (4)

(b)

A D B
x
5g 8g 2g

M(D) 5 g × x = 8 g × ( 0.75 − x ) + 2 g (1.5 − x ) M1 A2(1, 0)

Solving to x = 0.6 (AD = 0.6 m) DM1 A1 (5)
[9]

8
4. (a) tan θ = M1
6
θ ≈ 53° A1 (2)

(b) (
F = 0.4 6i + 8j ) (= 2.4i + 3.2j) M1

(
F = √ 2.42 + 3.22 = 4 ) M1 A1 (3)

(c) (
v = 9i − 10j + 5 6i + 8j ) M1 A1

( )
= 39i + 30j ms −1 A1 (3)

(8 marks)

Silver 1: 6/14 6
5.
(a) 2m 2m 2m Q 2m
P R

X 40g 20g X Mg

(i) EITHER M(R), 8X + 2X = 40g x 6 + 20g x 4 M1 A2

solving for X, X = 32g = 314 or 310 N M1 A1
(↑) X + X = 40g + 20g + Mg (or another moments
(ii) M1 A2
equation)
solving for M, M = 4 M1 A1

(i) OR M(P), 6X = 40g x 2 + 20g x 4 + Mg x 8 M1 A2

solving for X, X = 32g = 314 or 310 N M1 A1
(↑) X + X = 40g + 20g + Mg (or another moments
M1 A2
equation)
(ii) solving for M, M = 4 M1 A1
(10)
(b) Masses concentrated at a point or weights act at a point B1
(1)
11

Q6 Shape (both) B1
(a) V Cross B1
Meet on t-axis B1
25 Figures 25,20,T,25 B1
20

O T 25 t
(4)

(b)  t + 25 
For Q: 20   = 800 M1 A1
 2 
t = 55 DM1 A1

 T + 55 
For P: 25   = 800 M1 A1
 2 
DM1 A1
solving for T: T =9
(8)
[12]

Silver 1: 6/14 7
 4. M1 A1
M1 A1
M1 A1
B1

M1
A1

30 2 = 2a.300 M1
5. (a) a = 1.5
A1
(2)

M1
(b)
A1

M1 A1

A1
(5)
triangle, drawn on the diagram, with base coinciding with base of
(c) trapezium, top vertex above line v = 30 and meeting trapezium at least
B1
once
DB1
V marked correctly
(d)
(2)

30 = 1.5t1 ⇒ t1 = 20 M1
30 = 1.25t 2 ⇒ t 2 = 24 A1
1 A1
(20 + 28 + 24)V = 1500
2
M1 A1
750
V= = 41.67
18 A1
125
= (oe) 0r 42 (or better)
3
(6)

15

Silver 1: 6/14 8
7. (a) M1 A1

M1 A1 (4)

M1
r = (4i - 8j) + t(-6i + 8j)
(b) =(4i - 8j) − 6ti + 8tj
=(4 − 6t)i + (8t − 8)j * A1 (2)

M1 A1
At 10 am, r = −2i
A1
(c) At 10.30 am, r = −5i + 4 j
l = ki, k < −2 DM1
k = −5 − 4 = −9
l = −9i A1 (5)

11

Question
Scheme Marks
Number
8.
(a) t = 0 gives v = i − 3 j B1
speed = 12 + (−3)2 M1
= 10 = 3.2 or better A1
(3)
(b) t = 2 gives v = (−3i + 3j) M1
Bearing is 315 A1
(2)
(c)(i) M1 A1
(ii) −(3t − 3) =
−3(1 − 2t ) M1 A1
Solving for t DM1
t = 2/3, 0.67 or better A1
(6)
[11]

Silver 1: 6/14 9
 Examiner reports
Question 1

A good starter question enabling most candidates to obtain marks. A significant number of
candidates gave an answer of -16 in part (a) rather than giving the magnitude of the impulse
and lost a mark.

In part (b) 16 was a common incorrect answer resulting from an incorrect direction of motion
for particle B i.e. 4 x 5 – m x 3 = 4 x 1 – m x 2. A few candidates seemed unconcerned with a
negative mass obtained from using (+ m x 3) on the L.H.S. and there were also a few
instances of candidates quoting and using the “formula” m 1 u 1+ m 1 v 1 = m 2 u 2+ m 2 v 2. It was
rare to see correct solutions using Impulse and many included g in their Impulse-Momentum
equation.

Question 2

This question produced very many correct responses. In part (a) most candidates were able to
apply the conservation of momentum principle with few problems, with many candidates
achieving all four marks. As usual a significant number, maybe fewer than in previous years,
made sign errors, with the occasional candidate missing the odd 'm's or 'u's. Very few put 'g's
into the equation while others had difficulty in manipulating the fractions Arithmetic errors in
working out the value of k were not uncommon and negative values obtained for k seldom
alerted the candidates to a possible error in their work. In the second part, the majority of
candidates chose to use the change in momentum of P with many correct answers being
obtained. However there were the inevitable errors with signs, more than in part (a), with too
many candidates thinking that a negative answer was acceptable, misunderstanding the
meaning of ‘magnitude’.

Silver 1: 6/14 10
Question 4

This question was done well by the vast majority of candidates. Most used trigonometry
appropriately in part (a) to find the required angle. In the second part some used F=ma
correctly but failed to find the magnitude, whereas others found the magnitude of the given
acceleration vector (sometimes labelling it as the force) but did not go on to multiply by the
mass. Many used the relevant vector constant acceleration formula to achieve a correct
velocity in the final part, although occasionally candidates multiplied the velocity rather than
the acceleration by 5, or they tried to convert it all into scalars.

Question 5

Most candidates were able to produce two valid equations in part (a), with the majority using
one moments and a vertical resolution. Occasionally g was omitted from the weight terms
and, more rarely, a reaction was equated to the sum of moments; this led to a dimensionally
incorrect equation and a significant loss of marks. A relatively small number of candidates
misinterpreted the given information and included the supports in the wrong positions on the
rod (often 1 m from the ends) while others failed to realise there were two reaction forces.

It was possible to find the value of the reaction directly by taking moments about R, but many
found two equations and solved them simultaneously to find the reaction and then used it to
find the value of M. A common error was to give the answer for the reaction as 313.6 which
represents unjustifiable accuracy after using g = 9.8 (314, 310 or 32g were all acceptable).

Many comments in part (b) related to the concentration of mass at a point, or the weight
acting through the point given; these achieved the mark. Some comments were irrelevant and
just referred to, for example, weight acting downwards, or ‘enabling moments to be taken’.

Question 6

A large number of entirely (or almost) correct solutions were seen to this question. Most
candidates drew their velocity-time graphs correctly and included appropriate annotations,
with the most common error being that the lines drawn did not cross. This did not deny
candidates access to full marks in the rest of the question though and many went on to solve
the problem correctly. Most realised that they needed to equate the expressions for area under
the graph to 800 for both P and Q. Attempts to use constant acceleration formulae over the
whole distance were occasionally seen and scored no marks although a few used this
approach in a valid way for the separate parts of the motion. Most commonly, a combination
of rectangles and triangles were used to represent area rather than the area of a trapezium
which made the subsequent algebra more difficult, and there were occasional errors seen in
simplification. A relatively common error was to calculate a correct time for Q (t = 30) but to
misinterpret this as the time when they both came to rest leading to errors in the motion of P.

Question 7

Apart from the final two available marks, this vector question was generally well answered.
In part (a) most candidates could derive the relevant velocity from the given position vectors
and time. However, some failed to realise that ‘speed’ required evaluation of the magnitude of
their vector. In the second part the required expression for the general position vector was
given, and so it was essential that the derivation was clear and entirely correct, including
“r = ”. An incorrect velocity vector from part (a) correctly used here earned one of the two
available marks. However, if the working was not consistent with that in part (a), both marks
were lost unless there was clear evidence of the velocity being re-calculated. In part (c) many

Silver 1: 6/14 11
 candidates substituted the relevant values of t (1 and 1.5) into the given expression to find the
position vectors at these times. However, only a minority used these properly to solve the
problem. Some realised that the j-component of the position vector of L was zero, but
deduced that the i-component was –8i or –7i rather than the correct value –9i. A clear diagram
would have helped many to fully appreciate the situation.

Question 8

In part (a) the vast majority obtained i – 3j, and only a few of these forgot to go on and find
the speed. In the second part almost all tried to substitute t = 2, and almost all of these
obtained -3i + 3j; there were, however, many errors in finding the bearing, with 225° being
the most common incorrect answer. In part (c) (i) most candidates seemed to realise that
something had to be equated to zero; approximately half of them took it to be the i-component
of v, leading correctly to t = 12 . Of the remainder, some thought that the j-component should
be zero, while a substantial number equated both components in turn to zero, obtaining two
values for t. It was part (c) (ii) that proved to be a good discriminator. Many just gave up at
this point, while some tried equating the i-component to –1 and the j-component to –3, again
obtaining two values for t. Of those who knew how to proceed, the k-method seemed less
error-prone than the ‘going straight to the ratio’ method, with perhaps less risk of ending up
with the ratio the wrong way round. It was surprising to see how many found the value of k
first, then substituted it back into one of their equations rather than just eliminating it
immediately.

Statistics for M1 Practice Paper Silver Level S1

Mean score for students achieving grade:

Original Mean Max Mean
paper Qu ALL A B C D E U
score score %
0801 1 5.04 6 84 5.04 5.62 5.21 5.06 4.32 3.89 2.82
1006 2 5.26 7 75 5.26 6.42 5.85 5.30 4.56 3.65 1.95
0706 3 6.74 9 75 6.74 8.57 7.87 6.92 5.72 4.22 1.89
0806 4 6.03 8 75 6.03 7.43 6.64 5.93 5.18 4.30 2.59
1106 5 7.34 11 67 7.34 9.53 8.33 7.13 5.62 4.07 1.79
1006 6 8.19 12 68 8.19 10.67 8.82 7.43 6.20 5.03 3.43
1301 7 7.43 11 68 7.43 9.08 7.54 6.16 4.91 3.43 2.08
1306 8 6.48 11 59 6.48 8.73 6.87 5.89 5.05 4.18 2.66
52.51 75 70 52.51 66.05 57.13 49.82 41.56 32.77 19.21

Silver 1: 6/14 12