7. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic spring. The other end of the spring is attached to a fixed point \(O\) on a smooth horizontal table. The spring has natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 21.6 N . The particle \(P\) is placed on the table at the point \(A\), where \(O A = 2 \mathrm {~m}\). The particle \(P\) is now pulled away from \(O\) to the point \(B\), where \(O A B\) is a straight line with \(O B = 3.5 \mathrm {~m}\). It is then released from rest.

1. Prove that \(P\) moves with simple harmonic motion of period \(\frac { \pi } { 3 } \mathrm {~s}\).
2. Find the speed of \(P\) when it reaches \(A\). The point \(C\) is the mid-point of \(A B\).
3. Find, in terms of \(\pi\), the time taken for \(P\) to reach \(C\) for the first time. Later in the motion, \(P\) collides with a particle \(Q\) of mass 0.2 kg which is at rest at \(A\).
   After the impact, \(P\) and \(Q\) coalesce to form a single particle \(R\).
4. Show that \(R\) also moves with simple harmonic motion and find the amplitude of this motion. END