M3 January 2011 Q7

EdexcelOld spec17 marksVertical Circular Motion

7.

Figure 5: particle P on a light rod of length l turning about O, projected with speed u from A where OA makes angle alpha with the upward vertical; OP at angle theta with speed v
Figure 5

A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light rod of length \(l\). The other end of the rod is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The rod can turn freely in a vertical plane about \(O\). The particle is projected with speed \(u\) from a point \(A\), where \(OA\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) and \(0 < \alpha < \tfrac{\pi}{2}\). When \(OP\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with the upward vertical through \(O\) the speed of \(P\) is \(v\) as shown in Figure 5.

(a) Show that \(v^2 = u^2 + 2gl(\cos\alpha - \cos\theta)\). (4)

It is given that \(\cos\alpha = \tfrac{3}{5}\) and that \(P\) moves in a complete vertical circle.

(b) Show that \(u > 2\sqrt{\left(\dfrac{gl}{5}\right)}\). (4)

As the rod rotates the least tension in the rod is \(T\) and the greatest tension is \(5T\).

(c) Show that \(u^2 = \dfrac{33}{10}gl\). (9)