6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle

6. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A light rod of length \(a\) is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis through one end \(O\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to the other end of the rod. The particle \(P\) is held at rest with the rod making an angle \(\alpha\) with the upward vertical through \(O\), where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\) The particle \(P\) is then projected with speed \(u\) in a direction which is perpendicular to the rod. At the instant when the rod makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\), the speed of \(P\) is \(v\), as shown in Figure 3. Air resistance is assumed to be negligible.

1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = u ^ { 2 } + \frac { 2 a g } { 5 } ( 4 - 5 \cos \theta )\) It is given that \(u ^ { 2 } = \frac { 6 a g } { 5 }\) and \(P\) moves in complete vertical circles. When \(\theta = \beta\), the force exerted on \(P\) by the rod is zero.
2. Find the value of \(\cos \beta\)

2. A spacecraft \(S\) of mass \(m\) moves in a straight line towards the centre of the Earth. The Earth is modelled as a sphere of radius \(R\) and \(S\) is modelled as a particle. When \(S\) is at a distance \(x , x \geqslant R\), from the centre of the Earth, the force exerted by the Earth on \(S\) is directed towards the centre of the Earth. The force has magnitude \(\frac { K } { x ^ { 2 } }\), where \(K\) is a constant.

1. Show that \(K = m g R ^ { 2 }\) When \(S\) is at a distance \(3 R\) from the centre of the Earth, the speed of \(S\) is \(V\). Assuming that air resistance can be ignored,
2. find, in terms of \(g , R\) and \(V\), the speed of \(S\) as it hits the surface of the Earth.

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4. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle of mass \(3 m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle is held at the point \(A\), where \(O A\) is horizontal and \(O A = a\). The particle is projected vertically downwards from \(A\) with speed \(u\), as shown in Figure 2. The particle moves in complete vertical circles.

1. Show that \(u ^ { 2 } \geqslant 3 a g\). Given that the greatest tension in the string is three times the least tension in the string, (b) show that \(u ^ { 2 } = 6 a g\).
   

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5. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} Two fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) are 5 m apart on a smooth horizontal floor. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 20 N . The other end of the string is attached to \(A\). A second light elastic string, of natural length 1.2 m and modulus of elasticity 15 N , has one end attached to \(P\) and the other end attached to \(B\). Initially \(P\) rests in equilibrium at the point \(O\), as shown in Figure 3.

1. Show that \(A O = 3 \mathrm {~m}\). The particle is now pulled towards \(A\) and released from rest at the point \(C\), where \(A C B\) is a straight line and \(O C = 1 \mathrm {~m}\).
2. Show that, while both strings are taut, \(P\) moves with simple harmonic motion.
3. Find the speed of \(P\) at the instant when the string \(P B\) becomes slack. The particle first comes to instantaneous rest at the point \(D\).
4. Find the distance \(D B\).

4. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a point \(O\). The point \(A\) is vertically below \(O\), and \(O A = a\). The particle is projected horizontally from \(A\) with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 3 a g )\). When \(O P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) and the string is still taut, the tension in the string is \(T\) and the speed of \(P\) is \(v\), as shown in Figure 2.

1. Find, in terms of \(a , g\) and \(\theta\), an expression for \(v ^ { 2 }\).
2. Show that \(T = ( 1 - 3 \cos \theta ) m g\). The string becomes slack when \(P\) is at the point \(B\).
3. Find, in terms of \(a\), the vertical height of \(B\) above \(A\). After the string becomes slack, the highest point reached by \(P\) is \(C\).
4. Find, in terms of \(a\), the vertical height of \(C\) above \(B\).

6. A light elastic string has natural length 4 m and modulus of elasticity 58.8 N . A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end of the string. The other end of the string is attached to a vertical point \(A\). The particle is released from rest at \(A\) and falls vertically.

1. Find the distance travelled by \(P\) before it immediately comes to instantaneous rest for the first time. The particle is now held at a point 7 m vertically below \(A\) and released from rest.
2. Find the speed of the particle when the string first becomes slack.

7. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} Part of a hollow spherical shell, centre \(O\) and radius \(a\), is removed to form a bowl with a plane circular rim. The bowl is fixed with the circular rim uppermost and horizontal. The point \(A\) is the lowest point of the bowl. The point \(B\) is on the rim of the bowl and \(\angle A O B = 120 ^ { \circ }\), as shown in Fig. 4. A smooth small marble of mass \(m\) is placed inside the bowl at \(A\) and given an initial horizontal speed \(u\). The direction of motion of the marble lies in the vertical plane \(A O B\). The marble stays in contact with the bowl until it reaches \(B\). When the marble reaches \(B\), its speed is \(v\).

1. Find an expression for \(v ^ { 2 }\).
2. For the case when \(u ^ { 2 } = 6 g a\), find the normal reaction of the bowl on the marble as the marble reaches \(B\).
3. Find the least possible value of \(u\) for the marble to reach \(B\). The point \(C\) is the other point on the rim of the bowl lying in the vertical plane \(O A B\).
4. Find the value of \(u\) which will enable the marble to leave the bowl at \(B\) and meet it again at the point \(C\).

4. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string of length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } m g\). The other end of the string is fixed at the point \(A\) which is at a height \(2 a\) above a smooth horizontal table. The particle is held on the table with the string making an angle \(\beta\) with the horizontal, where \(\tan \beta = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\).

1. Find the elastic energy stored in the string in this position. The particle is now released. Assuming that \(P\) remains on the table,
2. find the speed of \(P\) when the string is vertical. By finding the vertical component of the tension in the string when \(P\) is on the table and \(A P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the horizontal,
3. show that the assumption that \(P\) remains in contact with the table is justified.

7. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is fixed at a point \(O\). The particle is held with the string taut and \(O P\) horizontal. It is then projected vertically downwards with speed \(u\), where \(u ^ { 2 } = \frac { 3 } { 2 } g a\). When \(O P\) has turned through an angle \(\theta\) and the string is still taut, the speed of \(P\) is \(v\) and the tension in the string is \(T\), as shown in Fig. 3.

1. Find an expression for \(v ^ { 2 }\) in terms of \(a , g\) and \(\theta\).
2. Find an expression for \(T\) in terms of \(m , g\) and \(\theta\).
3. Prove that the string becomes slack when \(\theta = 210 ^ { \circ }\).
4. State, with a reason, whether \(P\) would complete a vertical circle if the string were replaced by a light rod. After the string becomes slack, \(P\) moves freely under gravity and is at the same level as \(O\) when it is at the point \(A\).
5. Explain briefly why the speed of \(P\) at \(A\) is \(\sqrt { } \left( \frac { 3 } { 2 } g a \right)\). The direction of motion of \(P\) at \(A\) makes an angle \(\varphi\) with the horizontal.
6. Find \(\varphi\).

3. A rocket is fired vertically upwards with speed \(U\) from a point on the Earth's surface. The rocket is modelled as a particle \(P\) of constant mass \(m\), and the Earth as a fixed sphere of radius \(R\). At a distance \(x\) from the centre of the Earth, the speed of \(P\) is \(v\). The only force acting on \(P\) is directed towards the centre of the Earth and has magnitude \(\frac { c m } { x ^ { 2 } }\), where \(c\) is a constant.

1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = U ^ { 2 } + 2 c \left( \frac { 1 } { x } - \frac { 1 } { R } \right)\). The kinetic energy of \(P\) at \(x = 2 R\) is half of its kinetic energy at \(x = R\).
2. Find \(c\) in terms of \(U\) and \(R\).
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5. A light elastic string of natural length \(l\) has one end attached to a fixed point \(A\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached tot he other end of the string and hangs in equilibrium at the point \(O\), where \(A O = \frac { 5 } { 4 } l\).

1. Find the modulus of the elasticity of the string. The particle \(P\) is then pulled down and released from rest. At time \(t\) the length of the string is \(\frac { 5 l } { 4 } + x\).
2. Prove that, while the string is taut, $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } = - \frac { 4 g x } { l }$$ When \(P\) is released, \(A P = \frac { 7 } { 4 } l\). The point \(B\) is a distance \(l\) vertically below \(A\).
3. Find the speed of \(P\) at \(B\).
4. Describe briefly the motion of \(P\) after it has passed through \(B\) for the first time until it next passes through \(O\).

6. One end of a light inextensible string of length \(l\) is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The other end is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) which is hanging freely at rest at point \(B\). The particle \(P\) is projected horizontally from \(B\) with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 3 g l )\). When \(A P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the downward vertical and the string remains taut, the tension in the string is \(T\).

1. Show that \(T = m g ( 1 + 3 \cos \theta )\).
2. Find the speed of \(P\) at the instant when the string becomes slack.
3. Find the maximum height above the level of \(B\) reached by \(P\).

3. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity 3.6 mg . The other end of the string is fixed at a point \(O\) on a rough horizontal table. The particle is projected along the surface of the table from \(O\) with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 2 a g )\). At its furthest point from \(O\), the particle is at the point \(A\), where \(O A = \frac { 4 } { 3 } a\).

1. Find, in terms of \(m , g\) and \(a\), the elastic energy stored in the string when \(P\) is at \(A\).
2. Using the work-energy principle, or otherwise, find the coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the table.

4. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a point \(O\). The point \(A\) is vertically below \(O\), and \(O A = a\). The particle is projected horizontally from \(A\) with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 3 a g )\). When \(O P\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) and the string is still taut, the tension in the string is \(T\) and the speed of \(P\) is \(v\), as shown in Figure 2.

1. Find, in terms of \(a , g\) and \(\theta\), an expression for \(v ^ { 2 }\).
2. Show that \(T = ( 1 - 3 \cos \theta ) m g\). The string becomes slack when \(P\) is at the point \(B\).
3. Find, in terms of \(a\), the vertical height of \(B\) above \(A\). After the string becomes slack, the highest point reached by \(P\) is \(C\).
4. Find, in terms of \(a\), the vertical height of \(C\) above \(B\).

A particle \(P\) of mass 0.25 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string. The string has natural length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda \mathrm { N }\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). In its equilibrium position, \(P\) is 0.85 m vertically below \(A\).

1. Show that \(\lambda = 39.2\). The particle is now displaced to a point \(B , 0.95 \mathrm {~m}\) vertically below \(A\), and released from rest.
2. Prove that, while the string remains stretched, \(P\) moves with simple harmonic motion of period \(\frac { \pi } { 7 } \mathrm {~s}\).
3. Calculate the speed of \(P\) at the instant when the string first becomes slack. The particle first comes to instantaneous rest at the point \(C\).
4. Find, to 3 significant figures, the time taken for \(P\) to move from \(B\) to \(C\).
   

1. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) lies on a smooth plane inclined at an angle \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The particle is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m g\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) on the plane. The particle \(P\) is in equilibrium at the point \(A\) on the plane and the extension of the string is \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } a\). The particle \(P\) is now projected from \(A\) down a line of greatest slope of the plane with speed \(V\). It comes to instantaneous rest after moving a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a\).

By using the principle of conservation of energy,

1. find \(V\) in terms of \(a\) and \(g\),
2. find, in terms of \(a\) and \(g\), the speed of \(P\) when the string first becomes slack.
   

6. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). At time \(t = 0 , P\) is projected vertically downwards with speed \(\sqrt { } \left( \frac { 5 } { 2 } g a \right)\) from a point \(A\) which is at the same level as \(O\) and a distance \(a\) from \(O\). When the string has turned through an angle \(\theta\) and the string is still taut, the speed of \(P\) is \(v\) and the tension in the string is \(T\), as shown in Figure 2.

1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = \frac { g a } { 2 } ( 5 + 4 \sin \theta )\).
2. Find \(T\) in terms of \(m , g\) and \(\theta\). The string becomes slack when \(\theta = \alpha\).
3. Find the value of \(\alpha\). The particle is projected again from \(A\) with the same velocity as before. When \(P\) is at the same level as \(O\) for the first time after leaving \(A\), the string meets a small smooth peg \(B\) which has been fixed at a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a\) from \(O\). The particle now moves on an arc of a circle centre \(B\). Given that the particle reaches the point \(C\), which is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a\) vertically above the point \(B\), without the string going slack,
4. find the tension in the string when \(P\) is at the point \(C\).

7. A particle \(P\) of mass 2 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length 1 m and modulus of elasticity 98 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). When \(P\) hangs freely below \(A\) in equilibrium, \(P\) is at the point \(E , 1.2 \mathrm {~m}\) below \(A\). The particle is now pulled down to a point \(B\) which is 0.4 m vertically below \(E\) and released from rest.

1. Prove that, while the string is taut, \(P\) moves with simple harmonic motion about \(E\) with period \(\frac { 2 \pi } { 7 } \mathrm {~s}\).
2. Find the greatest magnitude of the acceleration of \(P\) while the string is taut.
3. Find the speed of \(P\) when the string first becomes slack.
4. Find, to 3 significant figures, the time taken, from release, for \(P\) to return to \(B\) for the first time.

5. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} One end \(A\) of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(6 m g\), is fixed at a point on a smooth plane inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. A small ball \(B\) of mass \(m\) is attached to the other end of the string. Initially \(B\) is held at rest with the string lying along a line of greatest slope of the plane, with \(B\) below \(A\) and \(A B = a\). The ball is released and comes to instantaneous rest at a point \(C\) on the plane, as shown in Figure 2. Find

1. the length \(A C\),
2. the greatest speed attained by \(B\) as it moves from its initial position to \(C\).

5. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} One end \(A\) of a light inextensible string of length \(3 a\) is attached to a fixed point. A particle of mass \(m\) is attached to the other end \(B\) of the string. The particle is held in equilibrium at a distance \(2 a\) below the horizontal through \(A\), with the string taut. The particle is then projected with speed \(\sqrt { } ( 2 a g )\), in the direction perpendicular to \(A B\), in the vertical plane containing \(A\) and \(B\), as shown in Figure 4. In the subsequent motion the string remains taut. When \(A B\) is at an angle \(\theta\) below the horizontal, the speed of the particle is \(v\) and the tension in the string is \(T\).

1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = 2 \operatorname { ag } ( 3 \sin \theta - 1 )\).
2. Find the range of values of \(T\).

7. A light elastic string has natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(\frac { 3 } { 2 } m g\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of the string. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The particle is released from rest at \(A\) and falls vertically. When \(P\) has fallen a distance \(a + x\), where \(x > 0\), the speed of \(P\) is \(v\).

1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = 2 g ( a + x ) - \frac { 3 g x ^ { 2 } } { 2 a }\).
2. Find the greatest speed attained by \(P\) as it falls. After release, \(P\) next comes to instantaneous rest at a point \(D\).
3. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of \(P\) at \(D\).

5. Above the Earth's surface, the magnitude of the gravitational force on a particle due to the Earth is inversely proportional to the square of the distance of the particle from the centre of the Earth. The Earth is modelled as a sphere of radius \(R\) and the acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface is \(g\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is at a height \(x\) above the surface of the Earth.

1. Show that the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on \(P\) is $$\frac { m g R ^ { 2 } } { ( R + x ) ^ { 2 } }$$ A rocket is fired vertically upwards from the surface of the Earth. When the rocket is at height \(2 R\) above the surface of the Earth its speed is \(\sqrt { } \left( \frac { g R } { 2 } \right)\). You may assume that air resistance can be ignored and that the engine of the rocket is switched off before the rocket reaches height \(R\). Modelling the rocket as a particle,
2. find the speed of the rocket when it was at height \(R\) above the surface of the Earth.

A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(l\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle is hanging in equilibrium at the point \(A\), vertically below \(O\), when it is set in motion with a horizontal speed \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \sqrt { } ( 11 g l )\). When the string has turned through an angle \(\theta\) and the string is still taut, the tension in the string is \(T\).

1. Show that \(T = 3 m g \left( \cos \theta + \frac { 1 } { 4 } \right)\). At the instant when \(P\) reaches the point \(B\), the string becomes slack. Find
2. the speed of \(P\) at \(B\),
3. the maximum height above \(B\) reached by \(P\) before it starts to fall.
   

4. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(6 m g\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The particle moves with constant speed \(v\) in a horizontal circle with centre \(O\), where \(O\) is vertically below \(A\) and \(O A = 2 a\), as shown in Figure 2 .

1. Show that the extension in the string is \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } a\).
2. Find \(v ^ { 2 }\) in terms of \(a\) and \(g\).

7. A particle \(P\) of mass 1.5 kg is attached to the mid-point of a light elastic string of natural length 0.30 m and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda\) newtons. The ends of the string are attached to two fixed points \(A\) and \(B\), where \(A B\) is horizontal and \(A B = 0.48 \mathrm {~m}\). Initially \(P\) is held at rest at the mid-point, \(M\), of the line \(A B\) and the tension in the string is 240 N .

1. Show that \(\lambda = 400\) The particle is now held at rest at the point \(C\), where \(C\) is 0.07 m vertically below \(M\). The particle is released from rest at \(C\).
2. Find the magnitude of the initial acceleration of \(P\).
3. Find the speed of \(P\) as it passes through \(M\).