9231 P31 - Nov 2025 - Q4 - 6 marks
6630
One end of a light elastic string of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity 5 mg is attached to a fixed point \(O\). Two particles, \(P\) and \(Q\), of masses \(m\) and \(4 m\) respectively are attached to the other end of the string and they hang vertically in equilibrium. Particle \(Q\) is then detached from the string, hence releasing particle \(P\) from rest.
Find, in terms of \(a\), the length of the string when the speed of particle \(P\) is first equal to \(\sqrt{\frac{7}{5} a g}\).
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