CAIE M1 2011 November — Question 3

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2011
SessionNovember
TopicPulley systems

3 Particles \(P\) and \(Q\) are attached to opposite ends of a light inextensible string which passes over a fixed smooth pulley. The system is released from rest with the string taut, with its straight parts vertical, and with both particles at a height of 2 m above horizontal ground. \(P\) moves vertically downwards and does not rebound when it hits the ground. At the instant that \(P\) hits the ground, \(Q\) is at the point \(X\), from where it continues to move vertically upwards without reaching the pulley. Given that \(P\) has mass 0.9 kg and that the tension in the string is 7.2 N while \(P\) is moving, find the total distance travelled by \(Q\) from the instant it first reaches \(X\) until it returns to \(X\).