Edexcel M4 2016 June — Question 4

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM4 (Mechanics 4)
Year2016
SessionJune
TopicSecond order differential equations

4. A particle \(P\) of mass 9 kg moves along the horizontal positive \(x\)-axis under the action of a force directed towards the origin. At time \(t\) seconds, the displacement of \(P\) from \(O\) is \(x\) metres, \(P\) is moving with speed \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the force has magnitude \(16 x\) newtons. The particle \(P\) is also subject to a resistive force of magnitude \(24 v\) newtons.
  1. Show that the equation of motion of \(P\) is $$9 \frac { \mathrm {~d} ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 24 \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 16 x = 0$$ It is given that the general solution of this differential equation is $$x = \mathrm { e } ^ { - \frac { 4 } { 3 } t } ( A t + B )$$ where \(A\) and \(B\) are arbitrary constants.
    When \(t = \frac { 3 } { 4 } , P\) is travelling towards \(O\) with its maximum speed of \(8 \mathrm { e } ^ { - 1 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(x = d\).
  2. Find the value of \(d\).
  3. Find the value of \(x\) when \(t = 0\)