CAIE M2 2019 November — Question 3

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2019
SessionNovember
TopicVariable Force

3 A smooth horizontal surface has two fixed points \(O\) and \(A\) which are 0.8 m apart. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.25 kg is projected with velocity \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) horizontally from \(A\) in the direction away from \(O\). The velocity of \(P\) is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when the displacement of \(P\) from \(O\) is \(x \mathrm {~m}\). A force of magnitude \(k v ^ { 2 } x ^ { - 2 } \mathrm {~N}\) opposes the motion of \(P\).
  1. Show that \(v \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - 4 k v ^ { 2 } x ^ { - 2 }\).
  2. Express \(v\) in terms of \(k\) and \(x\).