Edexcel M3 2004 January — Question 5

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2004
SessionJanuary
TopicSimple Harmonic Motion

5. A piston in a machine is modelled as a particle of mass 0.2 kg attached to one end \(A\) of a light elastic spring, of natural length 0.6 m and modulus of elasticity 48 N . The other end \(B\) of the spring is fixed and the piston is free to move in a horizontal tube which is assumed to be smooth. The piston is released from rest when \(A B = 0.9 \mathrm {~m}\).
  1. Prove that the motion of the piston is simple harmonic with period \(\frac { \pi } { 10 } \mathrm {~s}\).
    (5)
  2. Find the maximum speed of the piston.
    (2)
  3. Find, in terms of \(\pi\), the length of time during each oscillation for which the length of the spring is less than 0.75 m .
    (5)