| Exam Board | CAIE |
| Module | FP2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Session | November |
| Topic | Circular 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 \(\frac { x } { a }\).