3
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{18398d27-15eb-4515-8210-4f0f614d5b28-2_247_839_1375_653} A light elastic string of natural length 1.2 m and modulus of elasticity 24 N is attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) on a smooth horizontal surface, where \(A B = 1.2 \mathrm {~m}\). A particle \(P\) is attached to the mid-point of the string. \(P\) is projected with speed \(0.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) along the surface in a direction perpendicular to \(A B\) (see diagram). \(P\) comes to instantaneous rest at a distance 0.25 m from \(A B\).

1. Show that the mass of \(P\) is 0.8 kg .
2. Calculate the greatest deceleration of \(P\).