Edexcel M3 — Question 6

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
TopicCircular Motion 1

6. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{8b85b908-bb74-4532-a1b4-3826946bd43b-4_437_364_196_717} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3}
\end{figure} The two ends of a light inextensible string of length \(3 a\) are attached to fixed points \(Q\) and \(R\) which are a distance of \(a \sqrt { } 3\) apart with \(R\) vertically below \(Q\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to the string at a distance of \(2 a\) from \(Q\).
\(P\) is given a horizontal speed, \(u\), such that it moves in a horizontal circle with both sections of the string taut as shown in Figure 3.
  1. Show that \(\angle P R Q\) is a right angle.
  2. Find \(\angle P Q R\) in degrees.
  3. Find, in terms of \(a , g , m\) and \(u\), the tension in the section of string
    1. \(P Q\),
    2. \(P R\).
  4. Show that \(u ^ { 2 } \geq \frac { g a } { \sqrt { 3 } }\).