Edexcel M3 2007 June — Question 6

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2007
SessionJune
TopicCircular Motion 2

6. A particle \(P\) is free to move on the smooth inner surface of a fixed thin hollow sphere of internal radius \(a\) and centre \(O\). The particle passes through the lowest point of the spherical surface with speed \(U\). The particle loses contact with the surface when \(O P\) is inclined at an angle \(\alpha\) to the upward vertical.
  1. Show that \(\quad U ^ { 2 } = a g ( 2 + 3 \cos \alpha )\). The particle has speed \(W\) as it passes through the level of \(O\). Given that \(\cos \alpha = \frac { 1 } { \sqrt { } 3 }\), (b) show that \(\quad W ^ { 2 } = a g \sqrt { } 3\).