6 A particle \(P\) moves in a straight line on a horizontal surface. \(P\) passes through a fixed point \(O\) on the line with velocity \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). At time \(t \mathrm {~s}\) after passing through \(O\), the acceleration of \(P\) is \(( 4 + 12 t ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 2 }\).

1. Calculate the velocity of \(P\) when \(t = 3\).
2. Find the distance \(O P\) when \(t = 3\). A second particle \(Q\), having the same mass as \(P\), moves along the same straight line. The displacement of \(Q\) from \(O\) is \(\left( k - 2 t ^ { 3 } \right) \mathrm { m }\), where \(k\) is a constant. When \(t = 3\) the particles collide and coalesce.
3. Find the value of \(k\).
4. Find the common velocity of the particles immediately after their collision.