1993 Paper 2 Q13

Year: 1993
Paper: 2
Question Number: 13

Course: UFM Mechanics
Section: Simple Harmonic Motion

Difficulty: 1600.0 Banger: 1500.0

Problem

The force \(F\) of repulsion between two particles with positive charges \(Q\) and \(Q'\) is given by \(F=kQQ'/r^{2},\) where \(k\) is a positive constant and \(r\) is the distance between the particles. Two small beads \(P_{1}\) and \(P_{2}\) are fixed to a straight horizontal smooth wire, a distance \(d\) apart. A third bead \(P_{3}\) of mass \(m\) is free to move along the wire between \(P_{1}\) and \(P_{3}.\) The beads carry positive electrical charges \(Q_{1},Q_{2}\) and \(Q_{3}.\) If \(P_{3}\) is in equilibrium at a distance \(a\) from \(P_{1},\) show that \[ a=\frac{d\sqrt{Q_{1}}}{\sqrt{Q_{1}}+\sqrt{Q_{2}}}. \] Suppose that \(P_{3}\) is displaced slightly from its equilibrium position and released from rest. Show that it performs approximate simple harmonic motion with period \[ \frac{\pi d}{(\sqrt{Q_{1}}+\sqrt{Q_{2}})^{2}}\sqrt{\frac{2md\sqrt{Q_{1}Q_{2}}}{kQ_{3}}.} \] {[}You may use the fact that \(\dfrac{1}{(a+y)^{2}}\approx\dfrac{1}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{2y}{a^{3}}\) for small \(y.\){]}

No solution available for this problem.

Rating Information

Difficulty Rating: 1600.0

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Banger Rating: 1500.0

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Problem source
The force $F$ of repulsion between two particles with positive charges
$Q$ and $Q'$ is given by $F=kQQ'/r^{2},$ where $k$ is a positive
constant and $r$ is the distance between the particles. Two small
beads $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$ are fixed to a straight horizontal smooth
wire, a distance $d$ apart. A third bead $P_{3}$ of mass $m$ is
free to move along the wire between $P_{1}$ and $P_{3}.$ The beads
carry positive electrical charges $Q_{1},Q_{2}$ and $Q_{3}.$ If
$P_{3}$ is in equilibrium at a distance $a$ from $P_{1},$ show
that 
\[
a=\frac{d\sqrt{Q_{1}}}{\sqrt{Q_{1}}+\sqrt{Q_{2}}}.
\]
Suppose that $P_{3}$ is displaced slightly from its equilibrium position
and released from rest. Show that it performs approximate simple harmonic
motion with period 
\[
\frac{\pi d}{(\sqrt{Q_{1}}+\sqrt{Q_{2}})^{2}}\sqrt{\frac{2md\sqrt{Q_{1}Q_{2}}}{kQ_{3}}.}
\]
{[}You may use the fact that $\dfrac{1}{(a+y)^{2}}\approx\dfrac{1}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{2y}{a^{3}}$
for small $y.${]}