CAIE FP2 2016 November — Question 4

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleFP2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2016
SessionNovember
TopicMomentum and Collisions 2

4 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 vertically above \(O\) with the string taut and then projected horizontally with speed \(\sqrt { } \left( \frac { 13 } { 3 } a g \right)\). It begins to move in a vertical circle with centre \(O\). When \(P\) is at its lowest point, it collides with a stationary particle of mass \(\lambda m\). The two particles coalesce.
  1. Show that the speed of the combined particle immediately after the impact is \(\frac { 5 } { \lambda + 1 } \sqrt { } \left( \frac { 1 } { 3 } a g \right)\). In the subsequent motion, the string becomes slack when the combined particle is at a height of \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } a\) above the level of \(O\).
  2. Find the value of \(\lambda\).
  3. Find, in terms of \(m\) and \(g\), the instantaneous change in the tension in the string as a result of the collision.