CAIE FP2 2012 November — Question 3

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleFP2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2012
SessionNovember
TopicCircular Motion 2

3 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 with the string taut and horizontal and is then released. When the string is vertical, it comes into contact with a small smooth peg \(A\) which is vertically below \(O\) and at a distance \(x ( < a )\) from \(O\). In the subsequent motion, when \(A P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the downward vertical, the tension in the string is \(T\). Show that $$T = m g \left( 3 \cos \theta + \frac { 2 x } { a - x } \right)$$ Given that \(P\) completes a vertical circle about \(A\), find the least possible value of \(\frac { x } { a }\).