8 Carol, a bungee jumper of mass 70 kg , is attached to one end of a light elastic cord of natural length 26 metres and modulus of elasticity 1456 N . The other end of the cord is attached to a fixed horizontal platform which is at a height of 69 metres above the ground.
Carol steps off the platform at the point where the cord is attached and falls vertically. Hooke's law can be assumed to apply whilst the cord is taut.
Model Carol as a particle and assume air resistance to be negligible.
When Carol has fallen \(x \mathrm {~m}\), her speed is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
- By considering energy, show that
$$5 v ^ { 2 } = 306 x - 4 x ^ { 2 } - 2704 \text { for } x \geqslant 26$$
- Why is the expression found in part (a) not true when \(x\) takes values less than 26?
- Find the maximum value of \(x\).
- Find the distance fallen by Carol when her speed is a maximum.
- Hence find Carol's maximum speed.