1. A light elastic string has natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m g\).

One end of the elastic string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } m\) is attached to the other end of the elastic string. The point \(A\) is vertically below \(O\) with \(O A = 4 a\). Particle \(P\) is held at \(A\) and released from rest. The speed of \(P\) at the instant when it has moved a distance \(a\) upwards is \(\sqrt { 3 a g }\) Air resistance to the motion of \(P\) is modelled as having magnitude \(k m g\), where \(k\) is a constant. Using the model and the work-energy principle,

1. show that \(k = \frac { 1 } { 4 }\) Particle \(P\) is now held at \(O\) and released from rest. As \(P\) moves downwards, it reaches its maximum speed as it passes through the point \(B\).
2. Find the distance \(O B\).