Mark Scheme (Results)

November 2021

Pearson Edexcel GCE

In Mathematics (9MA0)
Paper 32 Mechanics
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October 2021
Question Paper Log Number P68824A
Publications Code 9MA0_03_2111_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2021
General Marking Guidance

• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners

must mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they
mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must
be rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather
than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not
according to their perception of where the grade boundaries
may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark
scheme should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be
awarded. Examiners should always award full marks if
deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark
scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero
marks if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit
according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will
provide the principles by which marks will be awarded and
exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the
mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must
be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate
has replaced it with an alternative response.
 EDEXCEL GCE MATHEMATICS
General Instructions for Marking

1. The total number of marks for the paper is 100.

2. The Edexcel Mathematics mark schemes use the following types of marks:

• M marks: method marks are awarded for ‘knowing a method and attempting
to apply it’, unless otherwise indicated.
• A marks: Accuracy marks can only be awarded if the relevant method (M)
marks have been earned.
• B marks are unconditional accuracy marks (independent of M marks)
• Marks should not be subdivided.

3. Abbreviations

These are some of the traditional marking abbreviations that will appear in the mark
schemes.
• bod – benefit of doubt
• ft – follow through
• the symbol will be used for correct ft
• cao – correct answer only
• cso - correct solution only. There must be no errors in this part of the
question to obtain this mark
• isw – ignore subsequent working
• awrt – answers which round to
• SC: special case
• oe – or equivalent (and appropriate)
• dep – dependent
• indep – independent
• dp decimal places
• sf significant figures
•  The answer is printed on the paper
• The second mark is dependent on gaining the first mark

4. For misreading which does not alter the character of a question or materially
simplify it, deduct two from any A or B marks gained, in that part of the question
affected.

5. Where a candidate has made multiple responses and indicates which response
they wish to submit, examiners should mark this response.
If there are several attempts at a question which have not been crossed out,
examiners should mark the final answer which is the answer that is the most
complete.
6. Ignore wrong working or incorrect statements following a correct answer.

7. Mark schemes will firstly show the solution judged to be the most common
response expected from candidates. Where appropriate, alternatives
answers are provided in the notes. If examiners are not sure if an answer
is acceptable, they will check the mark scheme to see if an alternative
answer is given for the method used.
 General Principles for Mechanics Marking
(But note that specific mark schemes may sometimes override these general principles)

• Rules for M marks: correct no. of terms; dimensionally correct; all terms that need
resolving (i.e. multiplied by cos or sin) are resolved.

• Omission or extra g in a resolution is an accuracy error not method error.

• Omission of mass from a resolution is a method error.

• Omission of a length from a moments equation is a method error.

• Omission of units or incorrect units is not (usually) counted as an accuracy error.

• dM indicates a dependent method mark i.e. one that can only be awarded if a
previous specified method mark has been awarded.

• Any numerical answer which comes from use of g = 9.8 should be given to 2 or 3 SF.

• Use of g = 9.81 should be penalised once per (complete) question.

N.B. Over-accuracy or under-accuracy of correct answers should only be penalised
once per complete question. However, premature approximation should be
penalised every time it occurs.

• Marks must be entered in the same order as they appear on the mark scheme.

• In all cases, if the candidate clearly labels their working under a particular part of a
question i.e. (a) or (b) or (c),……then that working can only score marks for that part
of the question.

• Accept column vectors in all cases.

• Misreads – if a misread does not alter the character of a question or materially

simplify it, deduct two from any A or B marks gained, bearing in mind that after a
misread, the subsequent A marks affected are treated as A ft

• Mechanics Abbreviations
M(A) Taking moments about A
N2L Newton’s Second Law (Equation of Motion)
NEL Newton’s Experimental Law (Newton’s Law of Impact)
HL Hooke’s Law
SHM Simple harmonic motion
PCLM Principle of conservation of linear momentum
RHS, LHS Right hand side, left hand side
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Question Scheme Marks AOs

1(a) Use of v = u + at with t = 2: v = 4i + 2 (2i − 3 j)

M1 3.1a
OR integration: v = (2i − 3 j)t + 4i ,with t = 2
v= 8i − 6 j A1 1.1b

(2)
1
1(b) Use of = r ut + at 2 at t = 3 :
2
 1 
(i + j) + 3 × 4i + × (2i − 3 j) × 32 
 2 
OR: find v at t = 3: 4i + 3(2i − 3 j) = (10i − 9 j)
1
then use=r (u + v )t
2
1 
(i + j) +  [ 4i + (10i − 9 j) ] × 3 M1 3.1a
2 
1
or =
r vt − at 2
2
 1 
(i + j) + 3 × (10i − 9 j) − × (2i − 3 j) × 32 
 2 

 1 
OR integration: r = (i + j) + (2i − 3 j) t 2 + 4ti  , with t = 3
 2 
=
r 22i − 12.5 j A1 2.2a

(2)

(4 marks)

Notes: Accept column vectors throughout

Complete method to find v, using ruvat or integration

1a M1
(M0 if i and/or j is missing)
A1 Apply isw if they also find the speed
Complete method to find the p.v. but this mark can be scored if they omit (i + j)
i.e. the M1 is for the expression in the square bracket
1b M1 If they integrate, the M1 is earned once the expression in the square bracket is seen
with t = 3
(M0 if i and/or j is missing)
A1 cao
Question Scheme Marks AOs

Mark parts (a) and (b) together

2(a) Equation of motion for A M1 3.3

3mg sin α − F − T =
3ma A1 1.1b

(2)

2(b) Resolve perpendicular to the plane M1 3.4

R = 3mg cos α A1 1.1b

1
F= R B1 1.2
6
Equation of motion for B OR for whole system M1 3.3
T − mg =
ma OR 3mg sin α − F − mg= 3ma + ma A1 1.1b

Complete method to solve for a DM1 3.1b

1
a= g * A1* 2.2a
10
(7)
v
2(c)

B1 1.1b

t
e.g. acceleration (of B) is constant; dependent on first B1 DB1 2.4

(2)
e.g. the tensions in the two equations of motion would be different.
2(d) B1 3.5a
Tension on A would be different to tension on B
(1)

(12 marks)
Notes: N.B. If m’s are consistently missing treat as a MR, so max
(a) M1A0 (b) M1A0B0M1A1M1A1 (c) B1B1 (d) B1

For (a) and (b), allow verification, but must see full equations of motion.
Equation in T and a with correct no. of terms, condone sign errors and sin/cos
2a M1 confusion (If one of the 3’s is missing, allow M1)
N.B. Treat sin(3/5) etc as an A error but allow recovery
A1 Correct equation (allow (−a ) instead of a in both equations)
 Correct no. of terms, condone sign errors and sin/cos confusion
2b M1
Allow if appears in (a)
A1 Correct equation

B1 Seen anywhere in (a) or (b), including on a diagram

Equation (for B) in T and a with correct no. of terms, condone sign errors and sin/cos
confusion
M1
OR Whole system equation with correct no. of terms, condone sign errors and
sin/cos confusion
A1 Correct equation
Complete method (trig may not be substituted), dependent on M1 in (a) and second
DM1
M1 in (b) if they use two equations, or second M1 in (b) if they use one equation.
A1* Correct answer correctly obtained.
Straight line starting at the origin (could be reflected in the t-axis). B0 if continuous
2c B1
vertical line at the end.
DB1 Dependent on first B1, for any equivalent statement

2d B1 B0 if incorrect extras
Question Scheme Marks AOs

Part (a) is a ‘Show that..’ so equations need to be given in

full to earn A marks

3(a)
C S B

G
R mg
D
A F
Moments equation: (M1A0 for a moments inequality) M1 3.3
M(A), mga cos θ = 2 Sa sin θ
M(B), mga cos θ + 2 Fa sin θ = 2 Ra cos θ
M(C), F × 2a sin θ = mga cos θ A1 1.1b
Ra cos θ mga cos θ + 2 Sa sin θ
M(D), 2=
=
M(G), Ra cos θ Fa sin θ + Sa sin θ .
(  ) R = mg OR ( ↔ ) F = S B1 3.4
Use their equations (they must have enough) and F ≤ µ R to give an
inequality in µ and θ only (allow DM1 for use of F = µ R to give DM1 2.1
an equation in µ and θ only)
1
µ ≥ cot θ * A1* 2.2a
2
(5)

C N B

G
R mg
D
1
mg A kmg
2
3(b)
Moments equation: M1 3.4
M(A), mga cos θ = 2 Na sin θ
1
M(B), mga cos θ + 2kmga sin θ =2 Ra cos θ + mg 2a sin θ
2
Ra cos θ mga cos θ + N 2a sin θ
M(D), 2= A1 1.1b
1
M(G), kmga sin θ + Na sin θ= mga sin θ + Ra cos θ
2
 1
S.C. M(C), mga cos θ + mg 2a sin θ = kmg 2a sin θ M1A1B1
2
5 5k
1+ = M1
4 2
k = 0.9 A1
=
N kmg − F OR R = mg B1 3.3
Use their equations (they must have enough) to solve for k
DM1 3.1b
(numerical)
k = 0.9 oe A1 1.1b

(5)

(10 marks)

Notes:

3a M1 Any moments equation with correct terms, condone sign errors and sin/cos confusion
A1 Correct equation
B1 Correct equation
Dependent on M1, for using their equations (they must have enough) and F ≤ µ R to
DM1 give an inequality in µ and θ only
(allow M1 for use of F = µ R to give an equation in µ and θ only)
Given answer correctly obtained with no wrong working seen (e.g. if they use
A1* F = µ R anywhere, A0)

3b M1 Any moments equation with correct terms, condone sign errors

A1 Correct equation
B1 Correct equation
Dependent on M1, for using their equations (they must have enough) with trig
DM1
substituted, to solve for k, which must be numerical.
A1 cao
 Question Scheme Marks AOs

Note that g = 10; penalise once for whole question if g = 9.8

1
4(a) Use =
s ut + at 2 vertically or any complete method to give an
2 M1 3.4
equation in t only

1 A1 1.1b
−70 65sin α × t − × g × t 2
=
2 M (A)1 1.1b

t = 7 (s) A1 1.1b

(4)

4(b) Horizontal velocity component at A = 65cos α (60) B1 3.4

Complete method to find vertical velocity component at A M1 3.4

65sin α − g × 7 OR (−25) 2 + 2 g × 70 (45) A1ft 1.1b

Sub for trig and square, add and square root : 602 + (−45) 2 M1 3.1b

75 Accept 80 ( m s −1 ) A1 1.1b

(5)
e.g. an approximate value of g has been used, the dimensions of
the stone could affect its motion, spin of the stone, g = 10 instead
4(c) B1 3.5b
of 9.8 has been used, g has been assumed to be constant, wind
effect, shape of the stone
(1)

(10 marks)

Notes:

4a M1 Complete method, correct no. of terms, condone sign errors and sin/cos confusion
A1 Correct equation in t only with at most one error
M(A)1 Correct equation in t only
N.B. For ‘up and down’ methods etc, the two A marks are for all the equations that
they use, lose a mark for each error.
A1 Cao (g = 9.8 , 7.1 or 7.11) (g = 9.81 , 7.1 or 7.12)
4b B1 Seen, including on a diagram.
M1 Condone sign errors and sin/cos confusion
A1ft Correct expression; accept negative of this, follow their t
M1 Sub for trig and use Pythagoras
A1 Cao (g = 9.8 or 9.81 , 75 or 74.8)
4c B1 B0 if incorrect extras

Question Scheme Marks AOs

Allow column vectors throughout this question

5(a) Differentiate v wrt t M1 3.1a

3 − 12
t i − 2 j isw A1 1.1b
2
(2)
1
5(b) 3t 2 = 2t M1 2.1

Solve for t DM1 1.1b

9
t= A1 1.1b
4
(3)

5(c) Integrate v wrt t M1 3.1a

3
r = 2t 2 i − t 2 j(+C) A1 1.1b
3
t = 1, r = −j => C = −2i so r = 2t 2 i − t 2 j − 2i A1 2.2a

(3)

(3t 2 ) 2 + (2t ) 2 =
1
10 or (3t 2 ) 2 + (2t ) 2 =
1 2
5(d) 10 M1 2.1

9t + 4t 2 =
100 M(A)1 1.1b

t=4 A1 1.1b
=
r 14i − 16 j M1 1.1b

142 + (−16) 2 M1 3.1a

452 (2 113) (m) A1 1.1b

(6)

(14 marks)

Notes:

5a M1 Both powers decreasing by 1 (M0 if vector(s) disappear but allow recovery)

A1 cao
5b M1 Complete method, using v, to obtain an equation in t only, allow a sign error
DM1 Dependent on M1,solve for t
 A1 cao
5c M1 Both powers increasing by 1 (M0 if vectors disappear but allow recovery)
A1 Correct expression without C
A1 cao
5d M1 Use of Pythagoras on v and 10 to set up equation in t
M(A)1 Correct 3 term quadratic in t
A1 cao
M1 Substitute their numerical t value into their r
M1 Use of Pythagoras to find the magnitude of their r
A1 cso