Edexcel M3 2021 October — Question 3

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2021
SessionOctober
TopicSimple Harmonic Motion

3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{9777abb8-a564-40d5-8d96-d5649913737b-08_307_437_244_756} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic spring of natural length \(l\) and modulus of elasticity \(k m g\), where \(k\) is a constant. The other end of the spring is fixed to horizontal ground. The particle \(P\) rests in equilibrium, with the spring vertical, at the point \(E\).
The point \(E\) is at a height \(\frac { 3 } { 5 } l\) above the ground, as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Show that \(k = \frac { 5 } { 2 }\) The particle \(P\) is now moved a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } l\) vertically downwards from \(E\) and released from rest. Air resistance is modelled as being negligible.
  2. Show that \(P\) moves with simple harmonic motion.
  3. Find the speed of \(P\) as it passes through \(E\).
  4. Find the time from the instant \(P\) is released to the first instant it passes through \(E\).