Edexcel M5 2013 June — Question 2

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM5 (Mechanics 5)
Year2013
SessionJune
TopicSimple Harmonic Motion

2. A uniform square lamina \(S\) has side \(2 a\). The radius of gyration of \(S\) about an axis through a vertex, perpendicular to \(S\), is \(k\).
  1. Show that \(k ^ { 2 } = \frac { 8 a ^ { 2 } } { 3 }\). The lamina \(S\) is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a fixed smooth horizontal axis which is perpendicular to \(S\) and passes through a vertex.
  2. By writing down an equation of rotational motion for \(S\), find the period of small oscillations of \(S\) about its position of stable equilibrium.