Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2023/ii/paper-2/37a/f/solution

The condition implies . The small-argument expansion of the hyperbolic tangent gives , so
Using yields the entropic Hooke law for a one-dimensional chain
Thus the effective spring constant is .
At fixed tension, the exact extension is
Increasing the temperature decreases the positive argument of the hyperbolic tangent, so the chain contracts. In the small-extension regime this becomes
which is inversely proportional to .
Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.

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