AQA M2 2008 June — Question 7

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2008
SessionJune
TopicCircular Motion 2

7 A small bead, of mass \(m\), is suspended from a fixed point \(O\) by a light inextensible string, of length \(a\). The bead is then set into circular motion with the string taut at \(B\), where \(B\) is vertically below \(O\), with a horizontal speed \(u\).
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  1. Given that the string does not become slack, show that the least value of \(u\) required for the bead to make complete revolutions about \(O\) is \(\sqrt { 5 a g }\).
  2. In the case where \(u = \sqrt { 5 a g }\), find, in terms of \(g\) and \(m\), the tension in the string when the bead is at the point \(C\), which is at the same horizontal level as \(O\), as shown in the diagram.
  3. State one modelling assumption that you have made in your solution.