Created by T.

Madas

ELASTIC
STRINGS
&
SPRINGS

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (**)
A particle of mass m is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural length l
and modulus of elasticity 8 mg . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed
25
point A on a horizontal ceiling. The particle is held level at A and released from rest.

When the particle has fallen a distance 9 l from A , its speed is v .

4

Find v in terms of g and l .

v = 2 gl

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 2 (**)
A particle of mass 2 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural
length 0.8 m . The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point O on a rough
horizontal floor. The coefficient of friction between the particle and the floor is 0.5 .

When the particle is held at rest at a point B on the plane, where OB = 2 m , the
tension in the string is 30 N . The particle is then released from rest, from B .

Calculate the speed of the particle as the sting becomes slack.

v ≈ 2.50 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (**+)
Two identical elastic strings AB and BC are fastened together at B . The natural
length and modulus of elasticity of each of the strings are a and 2mg , respectively.

The end A of the composite string is attached to a ceiling and the end C is attached
to a floor, so that ABC lies in a vertical line where AC = ka .

Finally a particle of mass m is attached to B so that when the particle is in

equilibrium BC = 7 a .
4

Determine the value of k .

FM1-R , k = 4

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 4 (**+)
A uniform rod AB , of length 6 m and mass 12 kg is smoothly hinged at A on a
vertical wall. An elastic string connects a point C on the rod to a point D on the wall
which is 1.5 m vertically above A . The distance AC is 1.5 m .

The rod lies undisturbed in equilibrium so that DAB = 60° .

Given further that the natural length of the string is 1 m , determine the modulus of
elasticity of the string.

FM1-Q , λ = 48 g ≈ 470 N

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 5 (**+)
A particle of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural
length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 24.5 N . The other end of the string is attached
to a fixed point O on a horizontal ceiling. The particle is held level with O and
released from rest. In the subsequent motion the particle reaches the lowest position at
the point A , which lies vertically below O . It is assumed that there is no air
resistance during the motion.

a) Calculate the distance OA .

b) Determine the acceleration of the particle at A .

OA ≈ 3.73 m , a A = 32.5 ms −2

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 6 (**+)
A particle P , of mass 2 kg rests on a fixed rough plane inclined at arctan 4 to the
3
horizontal.

The coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane is 1 .

2

The point A is a fixed point at the top of the plane and lies D m above P along a
line of greatest slope.

The particle is attached to A by a light elastic string of natural length 0.5 m and
modulus of elasticity 14 N .

Given that P is at the point of slipping down the plane determine the value of D .

FM1-J , D = 0.85

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 7 (***)
A light elastic string AB has natural length 2L m and modulus of elasticity λ N .

A different light elastic string CD has natural length 3L m and modulus of elasticity
1λ N.
4

The two strings are joined together at their ends, with A joined to C and with B
joined to D . The “ A to C ” end is fixed to a horizontal ceiling. A particle of weight
65 N is attached to the “ B to D ” end, and hangs in equilibrium, without touching
the ground.

Given that when the particle hangs in equilibrium the length of the string AB is twice
is natural length, determine the value of λ .

λ = 60 N

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 8 (***)
A particle of mass 0.25 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic spring of natural
length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity 6 N . The other end of the string is attached to
a fixed point O on a horizontal ceiling. The point A lies 0.3 m vertically below O .

The particle is held level with A and released from rest. In the subsequent motion the
particle reaches the lowest position at the point B , which lies vertically below A .

It is assumed that there is no air resistance during the motion.

a) Determine the initial acceleration of the particle as it is released from A .

b) Calculate the distance AB .

a A = 24.8 ms −2 , AB = 124 ≈ 1.65 m ,

75

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 9 (***)
A piston of mass 1.5 kg , enclosed in a fixed vertical tube, has one of its ends attached
to a light spring of natural length 0.2 m and modulus of elasticity 2000 N . The other
end of the spring is attached to the bottom of the vertical tube, so that the piston can
oscillate inside the tube in a vertical direction. The motion of the piston inside the
cylinder is subject to a constant resistance of 5.3 N .

The piston is pushed downwards so that the spring has length 0.1 m and released
from rest. By modelling the piston as a particle determine the speed of the piston
when the spring reaches its natural length.

FM1-P , v = 8 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 10 (***)
A particle P of mass 0.5 kg is attached to a light spring of natural length 0.6 m and
modulus of elasticity 47 N . The other end of the spring is attached to a fixed point
O on a ceiling, so that P is hanging at rest vertically below O . The particle is pulled
vertically downwards so that OP = 1.16 m and released from rest.

Ignoring any external resistances, find the speed of P when OP = 0.88 m .

FM1-Q , v = 5.6 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 11 (***)
One end of a light elastic string, is attached to a point A on a fixed plane inclined at
an angle θ to the horizontal, where tan θ = 3 , and a particle of mass 10 kg is
4
attached to the free end of the string.

The string has natural length 5 m and modulus of elasticity 147 N . The particle is
first held at a point B on the plane, where B is below A and AB = 5 m . The string
is parallel to a line of greatest slope of the plane. The particle is released from rest.

a) Given the plane is smooth, find the distance that the particle moves before first
coming to instantaneous rest.

b) Given instead that the plane is rough, and the particle first comes after a
distance of 2 m , determine the coefficient of friction between the particle and
the plane.

d = 4 m , µ = 3 = 0.375
8

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 12 (***)
A light elastic string AB has natural length 1.25 m and modulus of elasticity 24.5 N .
Another light elastic string CD has natural length 1.25 m and modulus of elasticity
26.95 N .

The two strings AB and CD are joined together with B attached to C forming a
longer string AD whose end A is fixed to a horizontal ceiling.

A particle of mass 5 kg is attached to the free end of the string at D and hangs in
equilibrium, without touching the ground.

a) Determine the length of AD in this configuration.

The strings are next joined together at their ends with A joined to C and with B
joined to D . The “ A to C ” end is fixed to the horizontal ceiling.

A particle of mass 5 kg is attached to the “ B to D ” end, and hangs in equilibrium,

without touching the ground.

b) Calculate the tension in each string.

FM1-N , AD = 80 ≈ 7.27 m , TAB = 70 ≈ 23.3 N , TCD = 77 ≈ 25.7 N

11 3 3

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 13 (***)
A particle P of mass 0.5 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic spring, of natural
length 1.2 m and modulus of elasticity 19.6 N .

The other end of the spring is attached to a fixed point C on a horizontal ceiling.

The particle is held at the point B , where B is vertically below C and BC = 0.8 m .
The spring remains straight in a vertical position.

The particle is released from rest and first comes to instantaneous rest at the point A .

Find the distance AC .

AC = 2.2 m

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 14 (***+)
A particle P of mass 12 kg is attached to the midpoint of a light elastic string of
natural length 0.5 m and modulus of elasticity λ N . The ends of the string are
attached to two fixed points A and B , where AB = 0.8 m and AB is horizontal.

When P is held at the point M , where M is the midpoint of AB , the tension in the
string is 216 N .

a) Show that λ = 360 .

The particle is next held at the point C , where C is 0.3 m below M , and then it is
released from rest.

b) Find the initial acceleration of P .

c) Calculate the speed of P as is passes through M .

a initial = 26.2 ms −2 , speed ≈ 1.93 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 15 (***+)
A particle P of mass m is attached to one end of a light elastic spring, of natural
length a and modulus of elasticity 8mg . The other end of the spring is attached to a
fixed point A on a rough horizontal plane. The coefficient of friction between P and
the plane is 0.5 .

The particle is held at rest on the plane at a point B , where AB = 1 a and released
4
from rest.

Find the distance of P from B when P first comes to rest.

d = 11 a
8

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 16 (***+)
A particle of mass 2 kg is suspended from a fixed point P by a light elastic string,
and rests in equilibrium at a vertical distance 4d below P .

When a different particle of mass 5 kg is suspended from the fixed point P by the
same light elastic string, it rests in equilibrium at a vertical distance 7d below P .

Determine the modulus of elasticity of the string.

FM1-L , λ = 19.6 N

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 17 (***+)
A particle P of mass m kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural
length 0.8 m and modulus of elasticity mg N . The other end of the string is attached
to a fixed point O on a smooth plane inclined at θ to the horizontal, where tan θ = 4 .
3

The particle is released from rest from O and moves down the plane without any air
resistance and without reaching the bottom of the plane.

a) Determine the greatest speed of P in the subsequent motion.

b) Find the distance of P from O , when it reaches the lowest point on the plane.

v max = 4.19 ms −1 , d ≈ 2.64 m

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 18 (***+)
A light elastic string has natural length 1 m and modulus of elasticity 10 N .

The two ends of the string are attached to two points A and B , which are 1.2 m apart
on a horizontal ceiling.

A particle P is attached to the midpoint of the string and hangs in equilibrium 0.8 m
below the level of AB .

a) Calculate the weight of P .

P is then raised and released from rest from the midpoint of AB .

b) Calculate the speed of P when it has fallen vertically by 0.8 m .

W = 16 N , V = 7 6 ≈ 4.29... ms −1
4

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 19 (***+)
A particle P , of mass m , is attached to one end of a light elastic string of natural
length 0.5 m and modulus of elasticity 2mg . The other end of the string is attached
to a fixed point A on a rough horizontal surface.

P is held at a point B , where AB = 0.5 m and given a speed of 1.4 ms −1 in the

direction AB .

P comes at rest at the point C .

Determine whether this position of rest is instantaneous or permanent.

FM1-R , permanent

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 20 (***+)
A light elastic spring AB , of natural length 2 m , has its end A attached to a fixed
point on a horizontal ceiling and a particle, of mass 3 kg , is attached to the other end
of the spring, B , with the particle hanging in equilibrium.

The modulus of elasticity of the spring is 100g N

The particle is then pulled vertically downwards, so that AB = 2.15 m , and released
from rest.

Determine the length of AB when the particle first comes to instantaneous rest.

FP1-M , AB = 1.97 m

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 21 (***+)
A light elastic string, of natural length 1.42 m , has each of its two ends attached to
two fixed points, A and B , where AB is horizontal and AB = 1.68 m .

A particle, of mass 2 kg , is attached to the midpoint of the string, M .

The particle is hanging in a equilibrium at the point C , where MC is vertical and

MC = 0.35 m .

The particle is then held at M and released from rest.

Calculate, correct to 2 decimal places, the speed of particle as it passes through C .

FM1-N , v ≈ 1.98 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 22 (****)

X A
P

A particle A , of mass m is at rest on a rough horizontal table.

A is attached to a fixed point X on the table, by a light elastic string of natural

length a and modulus of elasticity 4mg .

A light inextensible string is attached to A and passes over a smooth pulley P with
the other end of this string attached to another particle B , of mass 3m , which hangs
vertically below P .

• When B is gently released from a position such that XA = d , A is about to

slide towards P .

• When B is gently released from a position such that XA = 5 d , A is about to

4
slide towards X .

Find the value of the coefficient of friction between A and the table.

FM1-W , µ = 7
9

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 23 (****)

A 1.75 m B

1.05 m 1.4 m

The figure above shows a particle P of weight 120 N is suspended by two light
elastic strings AP and BP , where A and B are two fixed points on a horizontal
ceiling, at a distance 1.75 m apart.

When the system is in equilibrium, AP is stretched by 0.3 m to a length of 1.05 m

and BP is stretched to a length of 1.4 m .

a) Determine the modulus of elasticity of AP .

b) Given further that the energy stored in BP is 10.8 J find the modulus of
elasticity of BP .

FM1-V , λ AP = 240 N , λBP = 264 N

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 24 (****)
A bungee jumper of mass 75 kg is attached to one end of a light elastic string, of
natural length 25 m , and modulus of elasticity 3675 N .

The other end of the string is securely tied to a fixed point P on a horizontal platform,
which is sufficiently high enough above the ground.

The bungee jumper steps off the platform at P and when his vertical distance from P
is x m his speed is v ms −1 .

The bungee jumper is modelled as a particle, falling without air resistance, with
Hooke's law applying whilst the string is taut.

a) Show that for x ≥ 25

25v 2 = −49 x 2 + 2940 x − 30625 ,

and hence calculate, correct to 2 decimal places, the greatest value of x .

b) Determine the greatest value of v , during his jump.

FM1-O , xmax = 30 + 5 11 ≈ 46.58 m , vmax = 7 11 ≈ 23.22 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 25 (****)
A light elastic string AB , of modulus of elasticity mg and natural length l , is fixed to
a point A on a rough plane inclined at an angle β to the horizontal.

The other end of the string B is attached to a particle of mass m which is held at rest
on the plane so that AB = l . The string lies along a line of greatest slope of the plane,
with B lower than A .

The coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane is µ , µ < tan β .

The particle is released from rest.

a) Show that when the particle first comes to rest it has moved down the plane by
a distance

2l ( sin θ − µ cos β ) .

Once the particle comes to rest there is no further motion.

b) Show further that

µ ≥ 1 tan β
3

proof

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 26 (****)

A M
B
2.4 m 2.4 m

1m

One of the two ends of each of two identical light strings AP and BP , are attached to
a particle P of mass m kg . The other ends of each of the strings, A and B , are fixed
at the same horizontal level, 4.8 m apart. The particle rests in equilibrium 1 m below
M , where M is the midpoint of AB . Each of the strings has natural length 2 m and
modulus of elasticity of 637 N .

a) Show that m = 15 .

The particle is then held at M and released from rest.

b) Find the acceleration of P , when it has fallen vertically down by 0.7 m .

c) Calculate the maximum speed of P in the subsequent motion.

a = 2.6656 ms −2 , Vmax ≈ 3.91833... ms −1

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 27 (****)
A long straight vertical wall stands on a rough horizontal plane. The fixed point O
lies at the bottom of the wall, at some point along the edge between the wall and the
plane. An elastic string has one end attached to O and the other end attached to a
particle of mass 2 kg . The string has natural length 1.6 m and modulus of elasticity
200 N . The coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane is µ .

The particle is pulled at some point A on the plane, so that OA is perpendicular to the
wall and OA = 2 m .

The particle is projected towards along AO , towards O with speed 10 ms −1 and

travels in a straight line hitting the wall at O with speed v ms −1 .

a) Assuming that air resistance can be ignored express v 2 in terms of µ .

The particle rebounds off the wall with half its speed and moves in a straight line
towards A .

b) Given the particle comes to rest as it reaches A , show that µ = 5 .

14

v 2 = 110 − 39.2 µ

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 28 (****+)
A light elastic string is fixed to a point A on a level horizontal ceiling.

When a particle of mass m is attached to the other end of the string B and hangs in
equilibrium, the length AB is x .

When a different particle of mass M , M > m , is attached to B and hangs in

equilibrium, the length AB is y .

Find an expression for the natural length of the string, in terms of m , M , x and y
and hence deduce that

Mx > my .

Mx − my
FM1-P ,
M −m

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 29 (****+)
An elastic string has one end attached to a fixed point O on a rough horizontal plane.

The other end of the string is attached to a particle of mass 7 kg . The string has
natural length 1.2 m and modulus of elasticity 40 N . The particle is pulled at some
point A on the plane so that OA = 4 m and is released from rest. The particle travels
in a straight line coming to rest at some point B so that AB = 6 m .

a) Determine the frictional force acting on the particle, assumed constant

throughout the motion.

b) Show that the particle does not remain at rest at B .

The particle next comes to rest at some point C .

c) Show further that the string is not slack at C .

d) Calculate the distance BC .

R = 20 N , BC = 0.4 m

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 30 (****+)

A 13 a B
5
a 12 a
5

The figure above shows a particle P of mass m is suspended by two light strings
AP and BP , where A and B are two fixed points on a horizontal ceiling, at a
distance 13 a apart.
5

The string AP is inelastic and has length a .

The string BP is elastic and has length 12 a .

5

The natural length of BP is l and its modulus of elasticity is λ .

Show clearly that

156λ a
l= .
5 ( 5mg + 13λ )

FM1-U , proof

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 31 (****+)
[In this question g = 10 ms −2 ]

Two particles A and B , or respective masses 8 kg and 2 kg , are attached to the ends
of a light elastic string of natural length 2.5 m and modulus of elasticity 80 N .

The string passes through a small smooth hole on a rough horizontal table.

A is held at a distance of 2.5 m from the hole and B is held at a distance of 2 m

vertically below the hole. The coefficient of friction between A and the table is 0.5 .

Both particles are released simultaneously from rest.

a) Show that both particles move towards the hole.

A comes to permanent rest after moving a distance of 0.16 m .

b) Show further that the string is slack when B comes to instantaneous rest for
the first time.

proof

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 32 (****+)

4m C
B
θ A

A light elastic string, with natural length 1 1 m and modulus of elasticity 240 N , has
2
one end attached to a fixed point B on a rough plane inclined at angle θ to the
horizontal, where tan θ = 4 .
3

A particle of mass 5 kg is attached to the other end of the string. The coefficient of
friction between the particle and the plane is 0.5 . The particle is held at the point A
on the plane, where AB = 4 m , and is released from rest.

The particle travels up the plane and comes to instantaneous rest at the point C ,
where the string is taut.

Given that A , B and C lie on a line of greatest slope of the plane, determine the
magnitude of the acceleration of the particle at C .

x = 46.28942...ms −2
FM1-U ,

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Question 33 (*****)
Two points A and B lie at the same horizontal level so that AB = 4a .

A light elastic string is just taut when its ends are fixed at A and B . A heavy particle
is attached to the string at the point P where AP = 3a .

When the particle is allowed fall, eventually resting in equilibrium at some point
below AB , APB = 90° .

Show that

4 cos 2 θ − 12sin 2 θ = 3 ( cos θ − sin θ ) ,

where θ = BAP .

FM1-S , proof

Created by T. Madas