9231 P31 - Nov 2020 - Q1 - 3 marks
7017
A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is placed on a fixed smooth plane which is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal. A light spring, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(3 m g\), has one end attached to \(P\) and the other end attached to a fixed point \(O\) at the top of the plane. The spring lies along a line of greatest slope of the plane. The system is released from rest with the spring at its natural length.
Find, in terms of \(a\) and \(\theta\), an expression for the greatest extension of the spring in the subsequent motion.
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