6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle

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CAIE M2 2002 November Q5
9 marks Standard +0.8
5 A light elastic string has natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 1.5 N . One end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) of a smooth plane which is inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(0.075 \mathrm {~kg} . P\) is released from rest at \(O\). Find
  1. the distance of \(P\) from \(O\) when \(P\) is at its lowest point,
  2. the acceleration with which \(P\) starts to move up the plane immediately after it has reached its lowest point.
CAIE M2 2003 November Q3
8 marks Standard +0.3
3 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{be83d46f-bf5b-4382-b424-bb5067626adc-2_433_446_1635_854} One end of a light elastic spring, of natural length 0.4 m and modulus of elasticity 88 N , is attached to a fixed point \(O\). A particle \(P\) of mass 0.2 kg is attached to the other end of the spring and is held, with the spring compressed, at a point 0.3 m vertically above \(O\), as shown in the diagram. \(P\) is now released from rest and moves vertically upwards.
  1. Find the initial acceleration of \(P\).
  2. Find the initial elastic potential energy of the spring.
  3. Find the speed of \(P\) when the distance \(O P\) is 0.4 m . \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{be83d46f-bf5b-4382-b424-bb5067626adc-3_362_657_269_744} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 1}
    \end{figure} Fig. 1 shows a uniform lamina \(A B C D\) with dimensions \(A B = 15.5 \mathrm {~cm} , B C = 8 \mathrm {~cm}\) and \(C D = 9.5 \mathrm {~cm}\). Angles \(A B C\) and \(B C D\) are right angles.
CAIE M2 2004 November Q5
7 marks Standard +0.8
5 One end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.4 m and modulus of elasticity 16 N is attached to a fixed point \(O\) of a horizontal table. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.8 kg is attached to the other end of the string. The particle \(P\) is released from rest on the table, at a point which is 0.5 m from \(O\). The coefficient of friction between the particle and the table is 0.2 . By considering work and energy, find the speed of \(P\) at the instant the string becomes slack.
CAIE M2 2005 November Q5
8 marks Standard +0.8
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a20a6641-d771-4c89-b40f-168a0c61f99d-3_577_693_1740_724} A particle \(P\) of mass 0.2 kg is attached to the mid-point of a light elastic string of natural length 5.5 m and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda \mathrm { N }\). The ends of the string are attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) which are at the same horizontal level and 6 m apart. \(P\) is held at rest at a point 1.25 m vertically above the mid-point of \(A B\) and then released. \(P\) travels a distance 5.25 m downwards before coming to instantaneous rest (see diagram). By considering the changes in gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy as \(P\) travels downwards, find the value of \(\lambda\).
CAIE M2 2006 November Q8
9 marks Challenging +1.2
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0cb05368-9ddf-4564-8428-725c77193a1e-4_933_275_689_934} The diagram shows a light elastic string of natural length 0.6 m and modulus of elasticity 5 N with one end attached to a fixed point \(O\). A particle \(P\) of mass 0.2 kg is attached to the other end of the string. \(P\) is held at the point \(A\), which is 0.9 m vertically above \(O\). The particle is released from rest and travels vertically downwards through \(O\) to the point \(C\), where it starts to move upwards. \(B\) is the point of the line \(A C\) where the string first becomes slack.
  1. Find the speed of \(P\) at \(B\).
  2. The extension of the string when \(P\) is at \(C\) is \(x \mathrm {~m}\).
    1. Show that \(x ^ { 2 } - 0.48 x - 0.81 = 0\).
    2. Hence find the distance \(A C\).
CAIE M2 2007 November Q1
5 marks Standard +0.3
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{b9080e9f-2c23-43ce-b171-bd68648dc56b-2_711_398_269_877} Each of two identical light elastic strings has natural length 0.25 m and modulus of elasticity 4 N . A particle \(P\) of mass 0.6 kg is attached to one end of each of the strings. The other ends of the strings are attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) which are 0.8 m apart on a smooth horizontal table. The particle is held at rest on the table, at a point 0.3 m from \(A B\) for which \(A P = B P\) (see diagram).
  1. Find the tension in the strings.
  2. The particle is released. Find its initial acceleration.
CAIE M2 2007 November Q5
7 marks Challenging +1.2
5 Each of two light elastic strings, \(S _ { 1 }\) and \(S _ { 2 }\), has modulus of elasticity 16 N . The string \(S _ { 1 }\) has natural length 0.4 m and the string \(S _ { 2 }\) has natural length 0.5 m . One end of \(S _ { 1 }\) is attached to a fixed point \(A\) of a smooth horizontal table and the other end is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg . One end of \(S _ { 2 }\) is attached to a fixed point \(B\) of the table and the other end is attached to \(P\). The distance \(A B\) is 1.5 m . The particle \(P\) is held at \(A\) and then released from rest.
  1. Find the speed of \(P\) at the instant that \(S _ { 2 }\) becomes slack.
  2. Find the greatest distance of \(P\) from \(A\) in the subsequent motion.
CAIE M2 2008 November Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
7 A particle \(P\) is projected from a point \(O\) on horizontal ground with speed \(V \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and direction \(60 ^ { \circ }\) upwards from the horizontal. At time \(t \mathrm {~s}\) later the horizontal and vertical displacements of \(P\) from \(O\) are \(x \mathrm {~m}\) and \(y \mathrm {~m}\) respectively.
  1. Write down expressions for \(x\) and \(y\) in terms of \(V\) and \(t\) and hence show that the equation of the trajectory of \(P\) is $$y = ( \sqrt { } 3 ) x - \frac { 20 x ^ { 2 } } { V ^ { 2 } }$$ \(P\) passes through the point \(A\) at which \(x = 70\) and \(y = 10\). Find
  2. the value of \(V\),
  3. the direction of motion of \(P\) at the instant it passes through \(A\).
CAIE M2 2009 November Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3 \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{68acf474-5da2-4949-b3b2-fc42cd73bd4a-2_408_291_1027_927} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 1}
\end{figure} A uniform solid cylinder has mass 8 kg and height 16 cm . A uniform solid cone, whose base radius is the same as the radius of the cylinder, has mass 2 kg and height 12 cm . A composite solid is formed by joining the cylinder and cone so that the base of the cone coincides with one end of the cylinder (see Fig. 1).
  1. Show that the centre of mass of the composite solid is 10.2 cm from its base. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{68acf474-5da2-4949-b3b2-fc42cd73bd4a-2_401_444_1877_849} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 2}
    \end{figure} The composite solid is held with a point on the circumference of its base in contact with a horizontal table. The base makes an angle \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) with the table (see Fig. 2, which shows a cross-section). When the cone is released it moves towards the equilibrium position in which its base is in contact with the table.
  2. Given that the radius of the base is 4 cm , find the greatest possible value of \(\theta\), correct to 1 decimal place.
CAIE M2 2009 November Q4
7 marks Standard +0.3
4 One end of a light elastic string of natural length 3 m and modulus of elasticity 15 mN is attached to a fixed point \(O\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) is attached to the other end of the string. \(P\) is released from rest at \(O\) and moves vertically downwards. When the extension of the string is \(x \mathrm {~m}\) the velocity of \(P\) is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = 5 \left( 12 + 4 x - x ^ { 2 } \right)\).
  2. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of \(P\) when it is at its lowest point, and state the direction of this acceleration.
CAIE Further Paper 3 2020 November Q6
8 marks Challenging +1.2
6 One end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(k\), is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(Q\). The particle \(P\) is projected vertically upwards from \(Q\). When \(P\) is moving upwards and at a distance \(\frac { 4 } { 3 } a\) directly above \(Q\), it has a speed \(\sqrt { 2 g a }\). At this point, its acceleration is \(\frac { 7 } { 3 } g\) downwards. Show that \(\mathrm { k } = 4 \mathrm { mg }\) and find in terms of \(a\) the greatest height above \(Q\) reached by \(P\).
CAIE Further Paper 3 2020 June Q3
7 marks Standard +0.3
3 One end of a light elastic spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity 5 mg , is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The other end of the spring is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). The spring hangs with \(P\) vertically below \(A\). The particle \(P\) is released from rest in the position where the extension of the spring is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a\).
  1. Show that the initial acceleration of \(P\) is \(\frac { 3 } { 2 } g\) upwards.
  2. Find the speed of \(P\) when the spring first returns to its natural length. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{7251b13f-1fae-4138-80ea-e6b8091c94ab-08_581_659_267_708} A uniform square lamina \(A B C D\) has sides of length 10 cm . The point \(E\) is on \(B C\) with \(E C = 7.5 \mathrm {~cm}\), and the point \(F\) is on \(D C\) with \(\mathrm { CF } = \mathrm { xcm }\). The triangle \(E F C\) is removed from \(A B C D\) (see diagram). The centre of mass of the resulting shape \(A B E F D\) is a distance \(\bar { x } \mathrm {~cm}\) from \(C B\) and a distance \(\bar { y } \mathrm {~cm}\) from CD.
CAIE Further Paper 3 2022 June Q2
5 marks Challenging +1.2
2 A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(\frac { 4 } { 3 } \mathrm { mg }\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) on a rough horizontal surface. The particle is at rest on the surface with the string at its natural length. The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the surface is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\). The particle is projected along the surface in the direction \(O P\) with a speed of \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \sqrt { \mathrm { ga } }\). Find the greatest extension of the string during the subsequent motion.
CAIE Further Paper 3 2022 June Q4
8 marks Challenging +1.8
4 One end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\) is attached to a fixed point \(O\). A particle of mass \(m\) is attached to the other end of the string and is held with the string taut at the point \(A\). At \(A\) the string makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\). The particle is projected perpendicular to the string in a downward direction from \(A\) with a speed \(u\). It moves along a circular path in the vertical plane. When the string makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the downward vertical through \(O\), the speed of the particle is \(2 u\) and the magnitude of the tension in the string is 10 times its magnitude at \(A\). It is given that \(\mathrm { u } = \sqrt { \frac { 2 } { 3 } \mathrm { ga } }\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(m\) and \(g\), the magnitude of the tension in the string at \(A\).
  2. Find the value of \(\cos \alpha\).
CAIE Further Paper 3 2023 June Q1
5 marks Standard +0.8
1 One end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(3 m g\), is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). The string hangs with \(P\) vertically below \(O\). The particle \(P\) is pulled vertically downwards so that the extension of the string is \(2 a\). The particle \(P\) is then released from rest.
  1. Find the speed of \(P\) when it is at a distance \(\frac { 3 } { 4 } a\) below \(O\).
  2. Find the initial acceleration of \(P\) when it is released from rest. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{454be64a-204f-4fa4-a5fc-72fd88e1289f-03_741_473_269_836} A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is moving with speed \(u\) on a fixed smooth horizontal surface. It collides at an angle \(\alpha\) with a fixed smooth vertical barrier. After the collision, \(P\) moves at an angle \(\theta\) with the barrier, where \(\tan \theta = \frac { 1 } { 2 }\) (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and the barrier is \(e\). The particle \(P\) loses 20\% of its kinetic energy as a result of the collision. Find the value of \(e\).
CAIE M2 2010 November Q5
7 marks Standard +0.8
5 A particle \(P\) of mass 0.28 kg is attached to the mid-point of a light elastic string of natural length 4 m . The ends of the string are attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) which are at the same horizontal level and 4.8 m apart. \(P\) is released from rest at the mid-point of \(A B\). In the subsequent motion, the acceleration of \(P\) is zero when \(P\) is at a distance 0.7 m below \(A B\).
  1. Show that the modulus of elasticity of the string is 20 N .
  2. Calculate the maximum speed of \(P\).
CAIE M2 2011 November Q3
8 marks Standard +0.3
3 One end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.4 m and modulus of elasticity 20 N is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(0.25 \mathrm {~kg} . P\) hangs in equilibrium below \(O\).
  1. Calculate the distance \(O P\). The particle \(P\) is raised, and is released from rest at \(O\).
  2. Calculate the speed of \(P\) when it passes through the equilibrium position.
  3. Calculate the greatest value of the distance \(O P\) in the subsequent motion.
CAIE M2 2011 November Q7
10 marks Challenging +1.2
7 One end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.4 m and modulus of elasticity 20 N is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass 0.8 kg . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\) at the top of a smooth plane inclined at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The particle rests in equilibrium on the plane.
  1. Calculate the extension of the string. \(P\) is projected from its equilibrium position up the plane along a line of greatest slope. In the subsequent motion \(P\) just reaches \(O\), and later just reaches the foot of the plane. Calculate
  2. the speed of projection of \(P\),
  3. the length of the line of greatest slope of the plane.
CAIE M2 2012 November Q7
12 marks Challenging +1.8
7 A light elastic string has natural length 3 m and modulus of elasticity 45 N . A particle \(P\) of weight 6 N is attached to the mid-point of the string. The ends of the string are attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) which lie in the same vertical line with \(A\) above \(B\) and \(A B = 4 \mathrm {~m}\). The particle \(P\) is released from rest at the point 1.5 m vertically below \(A\).
  1. Calculate the distance \(P\) moves after its release before first coming to instantaneous rest at a point vertically above \(B\). (You may assume that at this point the part of the string joining \(P\) to \(B\) is slack.)
  2. Show that the greatest speed of \(P\) occurs when it is 2.1 m below \(A\), and calculate this greatest speed.
  3. Calculate the greatest magnitude of the acceleration of \(P\).
CAIE M2 2012 November Q2
8 marks Challenging +1.2
2 A light elastic string has natural length 4 m and modulus of elasticity 60 N . A particle \(P\) of mass 0.6 kg is attached to the mid-point of the string. The ends of the string are attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) which lie in the same vertical line with \(A\) at a distance of 6 m above \(B\). \(P\) is projected vertically upwards from the point 2 m vertically above \(B\). In the subsequent motion, \(P\) comes to instantaneous rest at a distance of 2 m below \(A\).
  1. Calculate the speed of projection of \(P\).
  2. Calculate the distance of \(P\) from \(A\) at an instant when \(P\) has its greatest kinetic energy, and calculate this kinetic energy.
CAIE M2 2013 November Q7
10 marks Standard +0.8
7 A particle \(P\) of mass 0.4 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity 32 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The particle is released from rest at \(O\).
  1. Calculate the distance \(O P\) at the instant when \(P\) first comes to instantaneous rest. A horizontal plane is fixed at a distance 1 m below \(O\). The particle \(P\) is again released from rest at \(O\).
  2. Calculate the speed of \(P\) immediately before it collides with the plane.
  3. In the collision with the plane, \(P\) loses \(96 \%\) of its kinetic energy. Calculate the distance \(O P\) at the instant when \(P\) first comes to instantaneous rest above the plane, given that this occurs when the string is slack.
CAIE M2 2014 November Q2
6 marks Standard +0.3
2 A particle \(P\) of mass 0.2 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity 64 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\) on a smooth horizontal surface. \(P\) is placed on the surface at a point 0.8 m from \(A\). The particle \(P\) is then projected with speed \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) directly away from \(A\).
  1. Calculate the distance \(A P\) when \(P\) is at instantaneous rest.
  2. Calculate the speed of \(P\) when it is 1.0 m from \(A\).
CAIE M2 2014 November Q5
8 marks Challenging +1.2
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{81be887c-ab01-4327-a5df-f25c68a6fdb6-2_337_517_1749_813} Two light elastic strings each have one end attached to a fixed horizontal beam. One string has natural length 0.6 m and modulus of elasticity 12 N ; the other string has natural length 0.7 m and modulus of elasticity 21 N . The other ends of the strings are attached to a small block \(B\) of weight \(W \mathrm {~N}\). The block hangs in equilibrium \(d \mathrm {~m}\) below the beam, with both strings vertical (see diagram).
  1. Given that the tensions in the strings are equal, find \(d\) and \(W\). The small block is now raised vertically to the point 0.7 m below the beam, and then released from rest.
  2. Find the greatest speed of the block in its subsequent motion.
CAIE M2 2015 November Q7
11 marks Challenging +1.2
7 A particle \(P\) of mass \(M \mathrm {~kg}\) is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity 12.5 N . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The particle is released from rest at \(A\) and falls vertically until it comes to instantaneous rest at the point \(B\). The greatest speed of \(P\) during its descent is \(4.4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when the extension of the string is \(e \mathrm {~m}\).
  1. Show that \(e = 0.64 M\).
  2. Find a second equation in \(e\) and \(M\), and hence find \(M\).
  3. Calculate the distance \(A B\).
CAIE M2 2016 November Q1
4 marks Standard +0.3
1 A particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg moves in a circle with centre \(O\) on a smooth horizontal surface. \(P\) is attached to \(O\) by a light elastic string of modulus of elasticity 12 N and natural length \(l \mathrm {~m}\). The speed of \(P\) is \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), and the radius of the circle in which it moves is \(2 l \mathrm {~m}\). Calculate \(l\).