Edexcel M3 2019 January — Question 4

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2019
SessionJanuary
TopicWork, energy and Power 2

4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ae189c40-0071-4a6b-91eb-8ffebe082a04-12_364_718_278_612} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} The ends of a light elastic string, of natural length \(4 l\) and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda\), are attached to two fixed points \(A\) and \(B\), where \(A B\) is horizontal and \(A B = 4 l\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(2 m\) is attached to the midpoint of the string. The particle hangs freely in equilibrium at a distance \(\frac { 3 } { 2 } l\) vertically below the midpoint of \(A B\), as shown in Figure 2.
  1. Show that \(\lambda = \frac { 20 } { 3 } m g\). The particle is pulled vertically downwards from its equilibrium position until the total length of the string is 6l. The particle is then released from rest.
  2. Show that \(P\) comes to instantaneous rest before reaching the line \(A B\).