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Date May 2011 Marks available 2 Reference code 11M.2.SL.TZ2.2
Level Standard level Paper Paper 2 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Determine Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

This question is about kinematics.

Lucy stands on the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone vertically upwards.

The stone leaves her hand with a speed of 15ms–1 at the instant her hand is 80m above the surface of the sea. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 10ms–2.

Calculate the maximum height reached by the stone as measured from the point where it is thrown.

[2]
a.

Determine the time for the stone to reach the surface of the sea after leaving Lucy’s hand.

[3]
b.

Markscheme

\(h = \frac{{{v^2}}}{{2g}}\);
\( = \left( {\frac{{225}}{{20}} = } \right)11{\rm{m}}\);
Award [1 max] for 91m or 91.25m (candidate adds cliff height incorrectly). 

a.

time to reach maximum height=1.5s;
time to fall 91m=4.3s;
total time=5.8s;  
Answer can be alternatively expressed as 3.0 (to return to hand) +2.8 (to fall 80m).

or

use of s=ut+½at2;
80=-15t+5t2 or −80=15t−5t2;
t=5.8s;

b.

Examiners report

The kinematic solutions seen were very pleasing with clear explanations and correct answers. However some candidates added an extra 80 m to the answer having failed to appreciate that the answer should have been “from the point where it [the stone] was thrown”, i.e. the top of the cliff.
a.
Two routes to the answer were seen: a straightforward approach in which both sections of the motion are considered and totalled, and a method using a single determination of a quadratic equation from s = ut + 1⁄2at2. Only about half the candidates using the second route were able to arrive at the answer without error. The first approach was well done by the majority attempting this route.
b.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 2: Mechanics » 2.1 – Motion
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