Standard +0.8 This is a moderately challenging mechanics problem requiring energy conservation with elastic potential energy, gravitational potential energy, and the constraint that velocity is zero at the lowest point. Students must set up and solve a quadratic equation involving extension, which goes beyond routine Hooke's law calculations but uses standard M2 techniques.
2 A particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.6 m and modulus of elasticity 45 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle \(P\) is released from rest at \(O\) and falls vertically. Find the extension of the string when \(P\) is at its lowest position.
2 A particle $P$ of mass 0.3 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.6 m and modulus of elasticity 45 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point $O$. The particle $P$ is released from rest at $O$ and falls vertically. Find the extension of the string when $P$ is at its lowest position.
\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE M2 2013 Q2}}