6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle

2. A small bead \(P\) is threaded onto a smooth circular wire of radius 0.8 m and centre \(O\) which is fixed in a vertical plane. The bead is projected from the point vertically below \(O\) with speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and moves in complete circles about \(O\).

1. Suggest a suitable model for the bead.
2. Given that the minimum speed of \(P\) is \(60 \%\) of its maximum speed, use the principle of conservation of energy to show that \(u = 7\).
   (6 marks)

5. When a particle of mass \(M\) is at a distance of \(x\) metres from the centre of the moon, the gravitational force, \(F\) N, acting on it and directed towards the centre of the moon is given by $$F = \frac { \left( 4.90 \times 10 ^ { 12 } \right) M } { x ^ { 2 } }$$ A rocket is projected vertically into space from a point on the surface of the moon with initial speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Given that the radius of the moon is \(\left( 1.74 \times 10 ^ { 6 } \right) \mathrm { m }\),

1. show that the speed of the rocket, \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), when it is \(x\) metres from the centre of the moon is given by $$v ^ { 2 } = u ^ { 2 } + \frac { a } { x } - b$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants which should be found correct to 3 significant figures.
2. Find, correct to 2 significant figures, the minimum value of \(u\) needed for the rocket to escape the moon's gravitational attraction.

2. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.4 kg is moving in a straight line through a fixed point \(O\). At time \(t\) seconds after it passes through \(O\), the distance \(O P\) is \(x\) metres and the resultant force acting on \(P\) is of magnitude ( \(5 + 4 \mathrm { e } ^ { - x }\) ) N in the direction \(O P\). When \(x = 1 , P\) is at the point \(A\).

1. Find, correct to 3 significant figures, the work done in moving \(P\) from \(O\) to \(A\). Given that \(P\) passes through \(O\) with speed \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\),
2. find, correct to 3 significant figures, the speed of \(P\) as it passes through \(A\).

5. A physics student is set the task of finding the mass of an object without using a set of scales. She decides to use a light elastic string of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 280 N attached to two points \(A\) and \(B\) which are on the same horizontal level and 2.4 m apart. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} She attaches the object to the midpoint of the string so that it hangs in equilibrium 0.35 m below \(A B\) as shown in Figure 2.

1. Explain why it is reasonable to assume that the tensions in each half of the string are equal.
2. Find the mass of the object.
3. Find the elastic potential energy of the string when the object is suspended from it.

7. A particle of mass 0.5 kg is hanging vertically at one end of a light inextensible string of length 0.6 m . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point. The particle is given an initial horizontal speed of \(u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).

1. Show that the particle will perform complete circles if \(u \geq \sqrt { 3 g }\). Given that \(u = 5\),
2. find, correct to the nearest degree, the angle through which the string turns before it becomes slack,
3. find, correct to the nearest centimetre, the greatest height the particle reaches above its position when the string becomes slack.

2. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is at rest at the highest point \(A\) of a smooth sphere, centre \(O\), of radius 1.25 m which is fixed to a horizontal surface. When \(P\) is slightly disturbed it slides along the surface of the sphere. Whilst \(P\) is in contact with the sphere it has speed \(v \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) when \(\angle A O P = \theta\) as shown in Figure 1.

1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = 24.5 ( 1 - \cos \theta )\).
2. Find the value of \(\cos \theta\) when \(P\) leaves the surface of the sphere.

4. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass 2 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 1.5 m and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda\). The other end of the string is fixed to a point \(A\) on a rough plane inclined at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal as shown in Figure 2. The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the plane is \(\frac { 1 } { 6 } \sqrt { 3 }\). \(P\) is held at rest at \(A\) and then released. It first comes to instantaneous rest at the point \(B , 2.2 \mathrm {~m}\) from \(A\). For the motion of \(P\) from \(A\) to \(B\),

1. show that the work done against friction is 10.78 J ,
2. find the change in the gravitational potential energy of \(P\). By using the work-energy principle, or otherwise,
3. find \(\lambda\).

6. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A particle \(P\) of mass 2 kg is attached to the mid-point of a light elastic spring of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 4 N . One end \(A\) of the elastic spring is attached to a fixed point on a smooth horizontal table. The spring is then stretched until its length is 4 m and its other end \(B\) is held at a point on the table where \(A B = 4 \mathrm {~m}\). At time \(t = 0 , P\) is at rest on the table at the point \(O\) where \(A O = 2 \mathrm {~m}\), as shown in Fig. 3. The end \(B\) is now moved on the table in such a way that \(A O B\) remains a straight line. At time \(t\) seconds, \(A B = \left( 4 + \frac { 1 } { 2 } \sin 4 t \right) \mathrm { m }\) and \(A P = ( 2 + x ) \mathrm { m }\).

1. Show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 4 x = \sin 4 t$$
2. Hence find the time when \(P\) first comes to instantaneous rest. END

5. A light elastic string, of natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(m g\), has a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) attached to its mid-point. One end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\) and the other end is attached to a fixed point \(B\) which is at a distance \(4 a\) vertically below \(A\).

1. Show that \(P\) hangs in equilibrium at the point \(E\) where \(A E = \frac { 5 } { 2 } a\). The particle \(P\) is held at a distance \(3 a\) vertically below \(A\) and is released from rest at time \(t = 0\). When the speed of the particle is \(v\), there is a resistance to motion of magnitude \(2 m k v\), where \(k = \sqrt { } \left( \frac { g } { a } \right)\). At time \(t\) the particle is at a distance \(\left( \frac { 5 } { 2 } a + x \right)\) from \(A\).
2. Show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 2 k \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 2 k ^ { 2 } x = 0$$
3. Hence find \(x\) in terms of \(t\).

5. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m a k ^ { 2 }\), where \(k\) is a positive constant. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). At time \(t = 0 , P\) is released from rest from a point which is a distance \(2 a\) vertically below \(A\). When \(P\) is moving with speed \(v\), the air resistance has magnitude \(2 m k v\). At time \(t\), the extension of the string is \(x\).

1. Show that, while the string is taut, $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 2 k \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 2 k ^ { 2 } x = g$$ You are given that the general solution of this differential equation is $$x = \mathrm { e } ^ { - k t } ( C \sin k t + D \cos k t ) + \frac { g } { 2 k ^ { 2 } } , \quad \text { where } C \text { and } D \text { are constants. }$$
2. Find the value of \(C\) and the value of \(D\). Assuming that the string remains taut,
3. find the value of \(t\) when \(P\) first comes to rest,
4. show that \(2 k ^ { 2 } a < g \left( 1 + \mathrm { e } ^ { \pi } \right)\).

5. A light elastic spring has natural length \(l\) and modulus of elasticity \(m g\). One end of the spring is fixed to a point \(O\) on a rough horizontal table. The other end is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) which is at rest on the table with \(O P = l\). At time \(t = 0\) the particle is projected with speed \(\sqrt { } ( g l )\) along the table in the direction \(O P\). At time \(t\) the displacement of \(P\) from its initial position is \(x\) and its speed is \(v\). The motion of \(P\) is subject to air resistance of magnitude \(2 m v \omega\), where \(\omega = \sqrt { \frac { g } { l } }\). The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the table is 0.5 .

1. Show that, until \(P\) first comes to rest, $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 2 \omega \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + \omega ^ { 2 } x = - 0.5 g$$
2. Find \(x\) in terms of \(t , l\) and \(\omega\).
3. Hence find, in terms of \(\omega\), the time taken for \(P\) to first come to instantaneous rest.
   (3)

7. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A uniform rod \(A B\), of length \(2 a\) and mass \(k M\) where \(k\) is a constant, is free to rotate in a vertical plane about the fixed point \(A\). One end of a light inextensible string of length \(6 a\) is attached to the end \(B\) of the rod and passes over a small smooth pulley which is fixed at the point \(P\). The line \(A P\) is horizontal and of length \(2 a\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle of mass \(M\) which hangs vertically below the point \(P\), as shown in Figure 3. The angle \(P A B\) is \(2 \theta\), where \(0 ^ { \circ } \leq \theta \leq 180 ^ { \circ }\).

1. Show that the potential energy of the system is $$M g a ( 4 \sin \theta - k \sin 2 \theta ) + \text { constant. }$$ The system has a position of equilibrium when \(\cos \theta = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
2. Find the value of \(k\).
3. Hence find the value of \(\cos \theta\) at the other position of equilibrium.
4. Determine the stability of each of the two positions of equilibrium.

4. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A light inextensible string of length \(2 a\) has one end attached to a fixed point \(A\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). A second light inextensible string of length \(L\), where \(L > \frac { 12 a } { 5 }\), has one of its ends attached to \(P\) and passes over a small smooth peg fixed at a point \(B\). The line \(A B\) is horizontal and \(A B = 2 a\). The other end of the second string is attached to a particle of mass \(\frac { 7 } { 20 } m\), which hangs vertically below \(B\), as shown in Figure 2.

1. Show that the potential energy of the system, when the angle \(P A B = 2 \theta\), is $$\frac { 1 } { 5 } m g a ( 7 \sin \theta - 10 \sin 2 \theta ) + \text { constant. }$$
2. Show that there is only one value of \(\cos \theta\) for which the system is in equilibrium and find this value.
3. Determine the stability of the position of equilibrium.
   \section*{June 2009}

6. A light elastic spring \(A B\) has natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m n ^ { 2 } a\), where \(n\) is a constant. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to the end \(A\) of the spring. At time \(t = 0\), the spring, with \(P\) attached, lies at rest and unstretched on a smooth horizontal plane. The other end \(B\) of the spring is then pulled along the plane in the direction \(A B\) with constant acceleration \(f\). At time \(t\) the extension of the spring is \(x\).

1. Show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + n ^ { 2 } x = f .$$
2. Find \(x\) in terms of \(n , f\) and \(t\). Hence find
3. the maximum extension of the spring,
4. the speed of \(P\) when the spring first reaches its maximum extension.
   \section*{June 2009}

5. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} The end \(A\) of a uniform rod \(A B\), of length \(2 a\) and mass \(4 m\), is smoothly hinged to a fixed point. The end \(B\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string which passes over a small smooth pulley, fixed at the same level as \(A\). The distance from \(A\) to the pulley is \(4 a\). The other end of the string carries a particle of mass \(m\) which hangs freely, vertically below the pulley, with the string taut. The angle between the rod and the downward vertical is \(\theta\), where \(0 < \theta < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\), as shown in Figure 1.

1. Show that the potential energy of the system is $$2 m g a ( \sqrt { } ( 5 - 4 \sin \theta ) - 2 \cos \theta ) + \text { constant }$$
2. Hence, or otherwise, show that any value of \(\theta\) which corresponds to a position of equilibrium of the system satisfies the equation $$4 \sin ^ { 3 } \theta - 6 \sin ^ { 2 } \theta + 1 = 0 .$$
3. Given that \(\theta = \frac { \pi } { 6 }\) corresponds to a position of equilibrium, determine its stability. \section*{L \(\_\_\_\_\)}

Two points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on a smooth horizontal table with \(A B = 4 a\). One end of a light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m g\), is attached to \(A\). The other end of the spring is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). Another light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(m g\), has one end attached to \(B\) and the other end attached to \(P\). The particle \(P\) is on the table at rest and in equilibrium.

1. Show that \(A P = \frac { 5 a } { 3 }\). The particle \(P\) is now moved along the table from its equilibrium position through a distance \(0.5 a\) towards \(B\) and released from rest at time \(t = 0\). At time \(t , P\) is moving with speed \(v\) and has displacement \(x\) from its equilibrium position. There is a resistance to motion of magnitude \(4 m \omega v\) where \(\omega = \sqrt { } \left( \frac { g } { a } \right)\).
2. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 4 \omega \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 3 \omega ^ { 2 } x = 0\).
3. Find the velocity, \(\frac { \mathrm { d } x } { \mathrm {~d} t }\), of \(P\) in terms of \(a , \omega\) and \(t\).

7. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} Figure 3 shows a framework \(A B C\), consisting of two uniform rods rigidly joined together at \(B\) so that \(\angle A B C = 90 ^ { \circ }\). The rod \(A B\) has length \(2 a\) and mass \(4 m\), and the rod \(B C\) has length \(a\) and mass \(2 m\). The framework is smoothly hinged at \(A\) to a fixed point, so that the framework can rotate in a fixed vertical plane. One end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(3 m g\), is attached to \(A\). The string passes through a small smooth ring \(R\) fixed at a distance \(2 a\) from \(A\), on the same horizontal level as \(A\) and in the same vertical plane as the framework. The other end of the string is attached to \(B\). The angle \(A R B\) is \(\theta\), where \(0 < \theta < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\).

1. Show that the potential energy \(V\) of the system is given by $$V = 8 a m g \sin 2 \theta + 5 a m g \cos 2 \theta + \text { constant }$$
2. Find the value of \(\theta\) for which the system is in equilibrium.
3. Determine the stability of this position of equilibrium.

5. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A uniform rod \(A B\), of length \(4 a\) and weight \(W\), is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a fixed smooth horizontal axis which passes through the point \(C\) of the rod, where \(A C = 3 a\). One end of a light inextensible string of length \(L\), where \(L > 10 a\), is attached to the end \(A\) of the rod and passes over a small smooth fixed peg at \(P\) and another small smooth fixed peg at \(Q\). The point \(Q\) lies in the same vertical plane as \(P , A\) and \(B\). The point \(P\) is at a distance \(3 a\) vertically above \(C\) and \(P Q\) is horizontal with \(P Q = 4 a\). A particle of weight \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } W\) is attached to the other end of the string and hangs vertically below \(Q\). The rod is inclined at an angle \(2 \theta\) to the vertical, where \(- \pi < 2 \theta < \pi\), as shown in Figure 1.

1. Show that the potential energy of the system is $$W a ( 3 \cos \theta - \cos 2 \theta ) + \text { constant }$$
2. Find the positions of equilibrium and determine their stability.

6. Two points \(A\) and \(B\) are in a vertical line, with \(A\) above \(B\) and \(A B = 4 a\). One end of a light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(3 m g\), is attached to \(A\). The other end of the spring is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). Another light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(m g\), has one end attached to \(B\) and the other end attached to \(P\). The particle \(P\) hangs at rest in equilibrium.

1. Show that \(A P = \frac { 7 a } { 4 }\) The particle \(P\) is now pulled down vertically from its equilibrium position towards \(B\) and at time \(t = 0\) it is released from rest. At time \(t\), the particle \(P\) is moving with speed \(v\) and has displacement \(x\) from its equilibrium position. The particle \(P\) is subject to air resistance of magnitude \(m k v\), where \(k\) is a positive constant.
2. Show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + k \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + \frac { 4 g } { a } x = 0$$
3. Find the range of values of \(k\) which would result in the motion of \(P\) being a damped oscillation.

6. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} A uniform rod \(A B\) has mass \(4 m\) and length \(4 l\). The rod can turn freely in a vertical plane about a fixed smooth horizontal axis through \(A\). A particle of mass \(k m\), where \(k < 7\), is attached to the rod at \(B\). One end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(l\) and modulus of elasticity 4 mg , is attached to the point \(D\) of the rod, where \(A D = 3 l\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(E\) which is vertically above \(A\), where \(A E = 3 l\), as shown in Figure 2. The angle between the rod and the upward vertical is \(2 \theta\), where \(\arcsin \left( \frac { 1 } { 6 } \right) < \theta \leqslant \frac { \pi } { 2 }\).

1. Show that, while the string is stretched, the potential energy of the system is $$8 m g l \left\{ ( 7 - k ) \sin ^ { 2 } \theta - 3 \sin \theta \right\} + \text { constant }$$ There is a position of equilibrium with \(\theta \leqslant \frac { \pi } { 6 }\).
2. Show that \(k \leqslant 4\) Given that \(k = 4\),
3. show that this position of equilibrium is stable.

7. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is attached to the end \(A\) of a light elastic spring \(A B\), of natural length 0.6 m and modulus of elasticity 2.7 N . At time \(t = 0\) the end \(B\) of the spring is held at rest and \(P\) hangs at rest at the point \(C\) which is vertically below \(B\). The end \(B\) is then moved along the line of the spring so that, at time \(t\) seconds, the downwards displacement of \(B\) from its initial position is \(4 \sin 2 t\) metres. At time \(t\) seconds, the extension of the spring is \(x\) metres and the displacement of \(P\) below \(C\) is \(y\) metres.

1. Show that $$y + \frac { 49 } { 45 } = x + 4 \sin 2 t$$
2. Hence show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 9 y = 36 \sin 2 t$$ Given that \(y = \frac { 36 } { 5 } \sin 2 t\) is a particular integral of this differential equation,
3. find \(y\) in terms of \(t\),
4. find the speed of \(P\) when \(t = \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi\).

5. A toy car of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end \(A\) of a light elastic string \(A B\), of natural length 1.5 m and modulus of elasticity 27 N . Initially the car is at rest on a smooth horizontal floor and the string lies in a straight line with \(A B = 1.5 \mathrm {~m}\). The end \(B\) is moved in a straight horizontal line directly away from the car, with constant speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). At time \(t\) seconds after \(B\) starts to move, the extension of the string is \(x\) metres and the car has moved a distance \(y\) metres. The effect of air resistance on the car can be ignored. By modelling the car as a particle, show that, while the string remains taut,

1. 1. \(x + y = u t\)
   2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 36 x = 0\)
2. Hence show that the string becomes slack when \(t = \frac { \pi } { 6 }\)
3. Find, in terms of \(u\), the speed of the car when \(t = \frac { \pi } { 12 }\)
4. Find, in terms of \(u\), the distance the car has travelled when it first reaches end \(B\) of the string.
   

6. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.2 kg is suspended from a fixed point by a light elastic spring. The spring has natural length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity 7 N . At time \(t = 0\) the particle is released from rest from a point 0.2 metres vertically below its equilibrium position. The motion of \(P\) is resisted by a force of magnitude \(2 v\) newtons, where \(v \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) is the speed of \(P\). At time \(t\) seconds, \(P\) is \(x\) metres below its equilibrium position.

1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 10 \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 43.75 x = 0\)
2. Find \(x\) in terms of \(t\).
3. Find the value of \(t\) when \(P\) first comes to instantaneous rest.

7. \begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} Figure 2 shows four uniform rods, each of mass \(m\) and length \(2 a\). The rods are freely hinged at their ends to form a rhombus \(A B C D\). Point \(A\) is attached to a fixed point on a ceiling and the rhombus hangs freely with \(C\) vertically below \(A\). A light elastic spring of natural length \(2 a\) and modulus of elasticity \(7 m g\) connects the points \(A\) and \(C\). A particle of mass \(3 m\) is attached to point \(C\).

1. Show that, when \(A D\) is at an angle \(\theta\) to the downward vertical, the potential energy \(V\) of the system is given by $$V = 28 m g a \cos ^ { 2 } \theta - 48 m g a \cos \theta + \text { constant }$$ Given that \(\theta > 0\)
2. find the value of \(\theta\) for which the system is in equilibrium,
3. determine the stability of this position of equilibrium.

5. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is fixed to one end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(2 m a n ^ { 2 }\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle \(P\) is released from rest at a point which is a distance \(2 a\) vertically below \(O\). The air resistance is modelled as having magnitude \(2 m n v\), where \(v\) is the speed of \(P\).

1. Show that, when the extension of the string is \(x\), $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } + 2 n \frac { \mathrm {~d} x } { \mathrm {~d} t } + 2 n ^ { 2 } x = g$$
2. Find \(x\) in terms of \(t\).