OCR Further Mechanics 2021 June — Question 4 9 marks

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleFurther Mechanics (Further Mechanics)
Year2021
SessionJune
Marks9
TopicAdvanced work-energy problems
TypeElastic string horizontal surface projection
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 This is a multi-part Further Maths mechanics question requiring circular motion dynamics, Hooke's law, quadratic solving, and binomial approximation. While it involves several techniques and the binomial series application requires care, the steps are fairly standard for Further Maths students and the question provides significant scaffolding through its structure. The conceptual demand is moderate rather than requiring novel insight.
Spec1.04c Extend binomial expansion: rational n, |x|<16.02h Elastic PE: 1/2 k x^26.05c Horizontal circles: conical pendulum, banked tracks

4 One end of a light elastic string of natural length \(l \mathrm {~m}\) and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda \mathrm { N }\) is attached to a particle \(A\) of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) which is on a horizontal surface. The surface is modelled as being smooth and \(A\) moves in a circular path around \(O\) with constant speed \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The extension of the string is denoted by \(x \mathrm {~m}\).
  1. Show that \(x\) satisfies \(\lambda x ^ { 2 } + \lambda l x - l m v ^ { 2 } = 0\).
  2. By solving the equation in part (a) and using a binomial series, show that if \(\lambda\) is very large then \(\lambda x \approx m v ^ { 2 }\).
  3. By considering the tension in the string, explain how the result obtained when \(\lambda\) is very large relates to the situation when the string is inextensible. The nature of the horizontal surface is such that the modelling assumption that it is smooth is justifiable provided that the speed of the particle does not exceed \(7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). In the case where \(m = 0.16\) and \(\lambda = 260\), the extension of the string is measured as being 3.0 cm .
  4. Estimate the value of \(v\).
  5. Explain whether the value of \(v\) means that the modelling assumption is necessarily justifiable in this situation.

4 One end of a light elastic string of natural length $l \mathrm {~m}$ and modulus of elasticity $\lambda \mathrm { N }$ is attached to a particle $A$ of mass $m \mathrm {~kg}$. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point $O$ which is on a horizontal surface. The surface is modelled as being smooth and $A$ moves in a circular path around $O$ with constant speed $v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$. The extension of the string is denoted by $x \mathrm {~m}$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that $x$ satisfies $\lambda x ^ { 2 } + \lambda l x - l m v ^ { 2 } = 0$.
\item By solving the equation in part (a) and using a binomial series, show that if $\lambda$ is very large then $\lambda x \approx m v ^ { 2 }$.
\item By considering the tension in the string, explain how the result obtained when $\lambda$ is very large relates to the situation when the string is inextensible.

The nature of the horizontal surface is such that the modelling assumption that it is smooth is justifiable provided that the speed of the particle does not exceed $7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$.

In the case where $m = 0.16$ and $\lambda = 260$, the extension of the string is measured as being 3.0 cm .
\item Estimate the value of $v$.
\item Explain whether the value of $v$ means that the modelling assumption is necessarily justifiable in this situation.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR Further Mechanics 2021 Q4 [9]}}