OCR M4 2015 June — Question 5

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleM4 (Mechanics 4)
Year2015
SessionJune
TopicSecond order differential equations

  1. Taking \(H\) as the reference level for gravitational potential energy, show that the total potential energy \(V\) of the system is given by $$V = m g \left( 2 \lambda r \cos \theta - 2 r \cos ^ { 2 } \theta - \lambda a \right)$$
  2. Find the set of possible values of \(\lambda\) so that there is more than one position of equilibrium.
  3. For the case \(\lambda = \frac { 3 } { 2 }\), determine whether each equilibrium position is stable or unstable.