CAIE FP2 2018 June — Question 11 EITHER

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleFP2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2018
SessionJune
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicCircular Motion 2
TypeVertical circle: string becomes slack
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 This is a standard Further Maths vertical circle problem requiring energy conservation and circular motion equations (T - mg cos θ = mv²/a), followed by projectile motion. The multi-step nature and combination of techniques elevates it above average, but the methods are well-practiced in FM courses with no novel insight required.
Spec6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle6.02j Conservation with elastics: springs and strings6.05d Variable speed circles: energy methods

A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle is held so that the string is taut, with \(O P\) horizontal. The particle is projected downwards with speed \(\sqrt { } \left( \frac { 2 } { 5 } a g \right)\) and begins to move in a vertical circle. The string breaks when its tension is equal to \(\frac { 11 } { 5 } m g\).
  1. Show that the string breaks when \(O P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the downward vertical through \(O\), where \(\cos \theta = \frac { 3 } { 5 }\). Find the speed of \(P\) at this instant.
  2. For the subsequent motion after the string breaks, find the distance \(O P\) when the particle \(P\) is vertically below \(O\).

A particle $P$ of mass $m$ is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length $a$. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point $O$. The particle is held so that the string is taut, with $O P$ horizontal. The particle is projected downwards with speed $\sqrt { } \left( \frac { 2 } { 5 } a g \right)$ and begins to move in a vertical circle. The string breaks when its tension is equal to $\frac { 11 } { 5 } m g$.\\
(i) Show that the string breaks when $O P$ makes an angle $\theta$ with the downward vertical through $O$, where $\cos \theta = \frac { 3 } { 5 }$. Find the speed of $P$ at this instant.\\

(ii) For the subsequent motion after the string breaks, find the distance $O P$ when the particle $P$ is vertically below $O$.\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE FP2 2018 Q11 EITHER}}