A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string of modulus of elasticity \(8 m g\) and natural length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle is pulled vertically downwards a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } a\) from its equilibrium position and released from rest. Show that the string first becomes slack after a time \(\frac { 2 \pi } { 3 } \sqrt { } \left( \frac { a } { 8 g } \right)\). Find, in terms of \(a\), the total distance travelled by \(P\) from its release until it subsequently comes to instantaneous rest for the first time.