Edexcel M4 2017 June — Question 7

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM4 (Mechanics 4)
Year2017
SessionJune
TopicMoments

7. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{23e6a9ae-bf00-45a3-b462-e18760d9af45-24_655_890_239_529} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows four uniform rods, each of mass \(m\) and length \(2 a\). The rods are freely hinged at their ends to form a rhombus \(A B C D\). Point \(A\) is attached to a fixed point on a ceiling and the rhombus hangs freely with \(C\) vertically below \(A\). A light elastic spring of natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(7 m g\) connects the points \(A\) and \(C\). A particle of mass \(3 m\) is attached to point \(C\).
  1. Show that, when \(A D\) is at an angle \(\theta\) to the downward vertical, the potential energy \(V\) of the system is given by $$V = 28 m g a \cos ^ { 2 } \theta - 48 m g a \cos \theta + \text { constant }$$ Given that \(\theta > 0\)
  2. find the value of \(\theta\) for which the system is in equilibrium,
  3. determine the stability of this position of equilibrium.