Edexcel M4 2004 June — Question 6

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM4 (Mechanics 4)
Year2004
SessionJune
TopicVariable Force

6. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string and hangs at rest at time \(t = 0\). The other end of the string is then raised vertically by an engine which is working at a constant rate \(k m g\), where \(k > 0\). At time \(t\), the distance of \(P\) above its initial position is \(x\), and \(P\) is moving upwards with speed \(v\).
  1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} x } = ( k - v ) g\).
  2. Show that \(g x = k ^ { 2 } \ln \left( \frac { k } { k - v } \right) - k v - \frac { 1 } { 2 } v ^ { 2 }\).
  3. Hence, or otherwise, find \(t\) in terms of \(k , v\) and \(g\).