Particle attached to two separate elastic strings

A particle is attached to the ends of two separate elastic strings, with the other ends fixed at different points (horizontal or on a plane), and the particle moves vertically or along a surface.

14 questions · Standard +0.9

6.02i Conservation of energy: mechanical energy principle
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CAIE M2 2004 June Q5
7 marks Challenging +1.2
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{835616aa-0b2b-4e8c-bbbf-60b72dc5ea3e-3_321_698_1692_726} One end of a light elastic string of natural length 4 m and modulus of elasticity 200 N is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The other end is attached to the end \(C\) of a uniform rod \(C D\) of mass 10 kg . One end of another light elastic string, which is identical to the first, is attached to a fixed point \(B\) and the other end is attached to \(D\), as shown in the diagram. The distance \(A B\) is equal to the length of the rod, and \(A B\) is horizontal. The rod is released from rest with \(C\) at \(A\) and \(D\) at \(B\). While the strings are taut, the speed of the rod is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when the rod is at a distance of \(( 4 + x ) \mathrm { m }\) below \(A B\).
  1. Show that \(v ^ { 2 } = 10 \left( 8 + 2 x - x ^ { 2 } \right)\).
  2. Hence find the value of \(x\) when the rod is at its lowest point.
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.
OCR MEI M3 2015 June Q3
18 marks Challenging +1.2
3 Fig. 3 shows the fixed points A and F which are 9.5 m apart on a smooth horizontal surface and points B and D on the line AF such that \(\mathrm { AB } = \mathrm { DF } = 3.0 \mathrm {~m}\). A small block of mass 10.5 kg is joined to A by a light elastic string of natural length 3.0 m and stiffness \(12 \mathrm { Nm } ^ { - 1 }\); the block is joined to F by a light elastic string of natural length 3.0 m and stiffness \(30 \mathrm { Nm } ^ { - 1 }\). The block is released from rest at B and then slides along part of the line AF . The block has zero acceleration when it is at a point C , and it comes to instantaneous rest at a point E . \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{70a2c3ce-7bdb-4ddd-92fc-f7dcbdfdcfaf-4_221_1082_536_502} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3}
\end{figure}
  1. Find the distance BC . At time \(t \mathrm {~s}\) the displacement of the block from C is \(x \mathrm {~m}\), measured in the direction AF .
  2. Show that, when the block is between B and \(\mathrm { D } , \frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } = - 4 x\).
  3. Find the maximum speed of the block.
  4. Find the distance of the block from C when its speed is \(4.8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  5. Find the time taken for the block to travel from B to D.
  6. Find the distance DE .
OCR MEI M4 2011 June Q2
12 marks Challenging +1.2
2 A small ring of mass \(m\) can slide freely along a fixed smooth horizontal rod. A light elastic string of natural length \(a\) and stiffness \(k\) has one end attached to a point A on the rod and the other end attached to the ring. An identical elastic string has one end attached to the ring and the other end attached to a point B which is a distance \(a\) vertically above the rod and a horizontal distance \(2 a\) from the point A . The displacement of the ring from the vertical line through B is \(x\), as shown in Fig. 2. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{0166dd50-5069-47f4-a015-d01a9c54faf4-2_405_1063_1270_539} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 2}
\end{figure}
  1. Find an expression for \(V\), the potential energy of the system when \(0 < x < a\), and show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 2 k x - k a - \frac { k a x } { \sqrt { a ^ { 2 } + x ^ { 2 } } }$$
  2. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } V } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) is always positive.
  3. Show that there is a position of equilibrium with \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } a < x < a\). State, with a reason, whether it is stable or unstable.
OCR MEI Further Mechanics B AS 2022 June Q6
10 marks Standard +0.3
6 Two identical light elastic strings, each of length \(l\) and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda m g\) are attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\). The other end of the first string is attached to a fixed point A , and the other end of the second string is attached to a fixed point B . The points A and B are such that A is above and to the right of B and both strings are taut. The string attached to A makes an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical, and the string attached to B makes an angle of \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) with the horizontal, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{feb9a438-26b0-41d3-b044-6acd6efccde0-6_546_533_699_242} The system is in equilibrium in a vertical plane. The extension of the string attached to A is 0.9 l and the extension of the string attached to B is \(0.5 l\).
  1. Explain how you know that APB is not a straight line.
  2. Show that the elastic potential energy stored in string AP is \(k m g l\), where the value of \(k\) is to be determined correct to \(\mathbf { 3 }\) significant figures.
Edexcel FM2 Specimen Q7
14 marks Challenging +1.8
  1. Two points \(A\) and \(B\) are 6 m apart on a smooth horizontal surface.
A light elastic string of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 20 N , has one end attached to the point \(A\). A second light elastic string of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 50 N , has one end attached to the point \(B\). A particle \(P\) of mass 3.5 kg is attached to the free end of each string.
The particle \(P\) is held at the point on \(A B\) which is 2 m from \(B\) and then released from rest.
In the subsequent motion both strings remain taut.
  1. Show that \(P\) moves with simple harmonic motion about its equilibrium position.
  2. Find the maximum speed of \(P\).
  3. Find the length of time within each oscillation for which \(P\) is closer to \(A\) than to \(B\).
CAIE M2 2017 June Q2
6 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_1} One end of a light inextensible string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) kg which hangs vertically below \(A\). The particle is also attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length \(0.25\) m. The other end of this string is attached to a point \(B\) which is \(0.6\) m from \(P\) and on the same horizontal level as \(P\). Equilibrium is maintained by a horizontal force of magnitude \(7\) N applied to \(P\) (see Fig. 1).
  1. Calculate the modulus of elasticity of the elastic string. [2]
  2. \(P\) is released from rest by removing the \(7\) N force. In its subsequent motion \(P\) first comes to instantaneous rest at a point where \(BP = 0.3\) m and the elastic string makes an angle of \(30°\) with the horizontal (see Fig. 2). \includegraphics{figure_2} Find the value of \(m\). [4]
CAIE M2 2017 June Q2
6 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_1} One end of a light inextensible string is attached to a fixed point \(A\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) kg which hangs vertically below \(A\). The particle is also attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length \(0.25\) m. The other end of this string is attached to a point \(B\) which is \(0.6\) m from \(P\) and on the same horizontal level as \(P\). Equilibrium is maintained by a horizontal force of magnitude \(7\) N applied to \(P\) (see Fig. 1).
  1. Calculate the modulus of elasticity of the elastic string. [2]
  2. Find the value of \(m\). [4]
Edexcel M3 Q4
8 marks Challenging +1.2
A particle \(P\), of mass \(m\) kg, is attached to two light elastic strings, each of natural length \(l\) m and modulus of elasticity \(3mg\) N. The other ends of the strings are attached to the fixed points \(A\) and \(B\), where \(AB\) is horizontal and \(AB = 2l\) m. \includegraphics{figure_4} If \(P\) rests in equilibrium vertically below the mid-point of \(AB\), with each string making an angle \(\theta\) with the vertical, show that $$\cot \theta - \cos \theta = \frac{1}{6}.$$ [8 marks]
Edexcel M3 Q3
9 marks Challenging +1.2
Two particles \(A\) and \(B\), of masses \(M\) kg and \(m\) kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible string passing over a smooth fixed pulley. \(B\) is placed on a smooth horizontal table and \(A\) hangs freely, as shown. \(B\) is attached to a spring of natural length \(l\) m and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda\) N, whose other end is fixed to a vertical wall. \includegraphics{figure_3} The system starts to move from rest when the string is taut and the spring neither extended nor compressed. \(A\) does not reach the ground, nor does \(B\) reach the pulley, during the motion.
  1. Show that the maximum extension of the spring is \(\frac{2Mgl}{\lambda}\) m. [3 marks]
  2. If \(M = 3\), \(m = 1.5\) and \(\lambda = 35l\), find the speed of \(A\) when the extension in the spring is \(0.5\) m. [6 marks]
Edexcel M3 Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
The figure shows a particle \(P\), of mass 0·8 kg, attached to the ends of two light elastic strings. \(AP\) has natural length 20 cm and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda\) N. \(BP\) has natural length 20 cm and modulus of elasticity \(\mu\) N. \(A\) and \(B\) are fixed to points on the same horizontal level so that \(AB = 50\) cm. When \(P\) is suspended in equilibrium, \(AP = 30\) cm and \(BP = 40\) cm. Calculate the values of \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\). \includegraphics{figure_2} [9 marks]
OCR M3 2016 June Q4
7 marks Challenging +1.8
\includegraphics{figure_4} \(A\) and \(C\) are two fixed points, \(1.5\) m apart, on a smooth horizontal plane. A light elastic string of natural length \(0.4\) m and modulus of elasticity \(20\) N has one end fixed to point \(A\) and the other end fixed to a particle \(B\). Another light elastic string of natural length \(0.6\) m and modulus of elasticity \(15\) N has one end fixed to point \(C\) and the other end fixed to the particle \(B\). The particle is released from rest when \(ABC\) forms a straight line and \(AB = 0.4\) m (see diagram). Find the greatest kinetic energy of particle \(B\) in the subsequent motion. [7]
OCR MEI Further Mechanics Major Specimen Q3
5 marks Standard +0.3
The fixed points E and F are on the same horizontal level with EF = 1.6 m. A light string has natural length 0.7 m and modulus of elasticity 29.4 N. One end of the string is attached to E and the other end is attached to a particle of mass \(M\) kg. A second string, identical to the first, has one end attached to F and the other end attached to the particle. The system is in equilibrium in a vertical plane with each string stretched to a length of 1 m, as shown in Fig. 3. \includegraphics{figure_3}
  1. Find the tension in each string. [2]
  2. Find \(M\). [3]
OCR Further Mechanics 2018 September Q4
13 marks Standard +0.8
\(A\) and \(B\) are two points a distance of 5 m apart on a horizontal ceiling. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) kg is attached to \(A\) and \(B\) by light elastic strings. The particle hangs in equilibrium at a distance of 4 m from \(A\) and 3 m from \(B\) so that angle \(APB = 90°\) (see diagram). \includegraphics{figure_4} The string joining \(P\) to \(A\) has natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda_A\) N. The string joining \(P\) to \(B\) also has natural length 2 m but has modulus of elasticity \(\lambda_B\) N.
    1. Show that \(\lambda_B = \frac{3}{4}\lambda_A\). [4]
    2. Find an expression for \(\lambda_A\) in terms of \(m\) and \(g\). [3]
  1. Find, in terms of \(m\) and \(g\), the total elastic potential energy stored in the strings. [2]
The string joining \(P\) to \(A\) is detached from \(A\) and a second particle, \(Q\), of mass \(0.3m\) kg is attached to the free end of the string. \(Q\) is then gently lowered into a position where the system hangs vertically in equilibrium.
  1. Find the distance of \(Q\) below \(B\) in this equilibrium position. [4]