Edexcel IAL M1 January 2024 mark scheme and question paper (WME01/01)

3 M1 questions like these, with worked solutions

Written and checked by us, not taken from the Pearson paper. Try each one, then tap "Worked solution" to see every step and its marks.

1. Kinematics · 5 marks

   Car A travels along a straight road at a constant speed of $25{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$. Car B starts from rest at the same point and accelerates uniformly at $3{\text{ m s}}^{-2}$ until it reaches a speed of $30{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$, after which it maintains this speed. Find the distance Car B travels before it catches up to Car A.

   Worked solution

   1. M1 for finding the time taken for Car B to reach $30{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$: $t=\frac{30}{3}=10\text{ s}$.
   2. M1 for finding the distances covered in the first $10\text{ s}$: Car B covers $\frac{1}{2}\times 10\times 30=150\text{ m}$. Car A covers $25\times 10=250\text{ m}$.
   3. M1 for setting up an equation for the remaining distance where Car B catches A. Let $t_2$ be the additional time: $150+30t_2=250+25t_2$.
   4. M1 for solving to find $t_2$: $5t_2=100⟹t_2=20\text{ s}$. Total time = $30\text{ s}$.
   5. A1 for finding the total distance: $25\times 30=750\text{ m}$.

2. Vectors (Mechanics context) · 6 marks

   A drone is programmed to fly in a straight line. Its position vector $r$ (in km) at time $t$ (in hours) is $r=\left(\begin{array}{c}-5\\ 12\end{array}\right)+t\left(\begin{array}{c}8\\ -6\end{array}\right)$.
   Calculate the exact speed of the drone in km h${}^{-1}$, and find its distance from the origin at $t=2$.

   Worked solution

   Velocity vector $v=\left(\begin{array}{c}8\\ -6\end{array}\right)$. Speed $=|v|=\sqrt{8^2+(-6{)}^2}=\sqrt{64+36}=10$ km h${}^{-1}$. M1A1
   Position at $t=2$: $r(2)=\left(\begin{array}{c}-5\\ 12\end{array}\right)+2\left(\begin{array}{c}8\\ -6\end{array}\right)=\left(\begin{array}{c}11\\ 0\end{array}\right)$. M1A1
   Distance from origin $=\sqrt{{11}^2+0^2}=11$ km. M1A1

3. Momentum and Impulse · 4 marks

   Two particles A and B, of masses $m$ and $km$ respectively, collide on a smooth horizontal surface. Before the collision, A is moving with speed $3u$ and B is at rest. After the collision, A rebounds with speed $u$ and B moves with speed $u$. Find the value of $k$.

   Worked solution

   1. M1 for applying conservation of momentum, taking A's initial direction as positive.
   2. M1 for the equation: $m(3u)+km(0)=m(-u)+km(u)$.
   3. A1 for simplifying: $3mu=-mu+kmu⟹4mu=kmu$.
   4. A1 for finding $k=4$.

More on these topics: Kinematics · Vectors (Mechanics context) · Momentum and Impulse

What's on this paper

What this paper is like

• Shape: 8 questions, 75 marks in 1 h 30 min (about 1.2 minutes a mark); questions from 6 to 12 marks.
• Biggest question: Q6, 12 marks: particle projected vertically upwards.
• Marks by main topic: Kinematics 22, Statics of a Particle 14, Dynamics of a Particle 12, Vectors (Mechanics context) 11, Moments 10, Momentum and Impulse 6.
• More Kinematics in other sittings: October 2023 Q2 (10 marks), June 2024 Q5 (14 marks), June 2023 Q5 (11 marks).
• Against the other 15 sittings we mapped: more marks on Kinematics (22 marks here, 16 on average) and Statics of a Particle (14 marks here, 9 on average); fewer on Vectors (Mechanics context) (11 marks here, 18 on average) and Forces and Newton's Laws (0 marks here, 4 on average).
• Not on this paper: Forces and Newton's Laws.
• Calculator: allowed.

WME01/01: question by question

Labels and topics are ours, read from the WME01/01 paper (checked 2026-11-01); marks as printed. Tap a number to practise that topic.

1. Q1Smooth ring on a string in equilibrium (6 marks) · M1 Statics of a Particle
2. Q2Two particles moving towards each other (6 marks) · M1 Momentum and Impulse
3. Q3Van with constant acceleration (10 marks) · M1 Kinematics
4. Q4Resultant of two horizontal forces (8 marks) · M1 Statics of a Particle
5. Q5Beam resting on two supports (10 marks) · M1 Moments
6. Q6Particle projected vertically upwards (12 marks) · M1 Kinematics
7. Q7Motion with i and j vectors (11 marks) · M1 Vectors (Mechanics context)
8. Q8Connected particles on a rough inclined plane (12 marks) · M1 Dynamics of a Particle, M1 Forces and Newton's Laws

Practise every M1 topic free →