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Questions for Oscillations (JC) Set 1

A Level Physics oscillations practice questions (JC Set 1), with worked answers.

  • GCE A-Level H2 Physics 2027
Learning goals
  • Work through the questions and use the feedback to plan revision.

Learning objectives

  • Use oscillation quantities and describe free oscillations and their investigation.
  • Relate displacement, velocity, acceleration and phase in simple harmonic motion.
  • Identify and analyse simple harmonic motion using its defining equation and sinusoidal solutions.
  • Describe kinetic–potential energy interchange in ideal simple harmonic motion.

Use Current Practice First

A mass attached to the lower end of a vertical spring is performing simple harmonic motion. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. When the kinetic energy of the oscillator is equal to its potential energy, the oscillator is neither at the rest position nor at its maximum displacement position.
  2. The kinetic energy of the oscillator is a maximum when the tension in the spring is at maximum.
  3. The velocity of the mass is zero when its acceleration is zero.
  4. The acceleration of the mass is a maximum when it passes through the centre of the oscillation.

Option 2: The kinetic energy of the oscillator is zero when the tension in the spring is at maximum. Option 3: The velocity of the mass is at a maximum when its acceleration is zero. Option 4: The acceleration of the mass is zero when it passes through the centre of its oscillation. Answer: 1

Particle oscillating between the 50 and 70 centimetre marksA horizontal scale marks the left endpoint at 50 centimetres, equilibrium at 60 centimetres and the right endpoint at 70 centimetres.50 cm60 cm70 cmstarts here at t = 0

A particle oscillating in simple harmonic motion has its motion timed at t = 0 s when it is at the 50 cm mark. It travels between the 50 cm and 70 cm marks with a period of 2.0 s. Where is the position of the particle at time t = 0.75 s?

  1. 53 cm mark
  2. 57 cm mark
  3. 63 cm mark
  4. 67 cm mark

The equilibrium position is at the 60 cm mark. The +ve is to the right of the 60 cm mark, the -ve is to the left. Since timing begins at the amplitude position (the 50 cm mark), x = -xocos(2πt/T) x = - (10)cos((2π)(0.75)/2) x = 7.1 x = 7.1 corresponds to the 67.1 cm mark. Answer: 4

A pendulum with a bob of mass m and a string of length L is displaced from its equilibrium position O by a small angle and then released. At the same time, a bob of mass M is dropped and falls vertically downwards through a distance L. A point P is directly below bob of mass M and it happens to be at the same horizontal level as O. The dimensions of the two bobs are the same.

Pendulum motion and free fall over the same vertical distanceA pendulum bob of mass m travels from its displaced position to equilibrium O. Beside it, a bob of mass M falls vertically through distance L to point P, which is level with O. The pendulum length is also L.mOLMPLO and P are level

Which bob will arrive at its destination first - bob of mass m reaching its equilibrium position O or bob of mass M arriving at the point P? (Ignore air resistance and you may wish to use: Period of pendulum, T = 2π(L/g)1/2)

  1. Bob of mass m.
  2. Bob of mass M.
  3. The two bobs arrive at their destinations at the same time.
  4. The heavier ball will reach its destination first.

The bob of mass m will take tm = T/4 s to reach its equilibrium position O tm = ¼ T = ¼(2π(L/g)1/2 = 1.6(L/g)1/2 The bob of mass M experiences free-fall and the time, tM it takes to travel a vertical distance L to arrive at point P is tM = (2L/g)1/2 = 1.4(L/g)1/2 Since tm > tM, therefore bob of mass M will reach its destination first. Answer: 2

A particle is performing simple harmonic motion between two points A and B. If the period of oscillation is 3.0 s, what is the particle’s maximum acceleration?

Particle performing simple harmonic motion between A and BA particle oscillates along a horizontal line between endpoints A and B. The equilibrium point is midway between them and is 2.0 centimetres from either endpoint.2.0 cmAequilibriumB
  1. 4.2 cm s-2
  2. 8.8 cm s-2
  3. 9.8 cm s-2
  4. 18 cm s-2

Use amax = -ω2(-xo), where T = 3s, xo= 2 cm Answer: 2

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Course and syllabus information
Course
GCE A-Level H2 Physics
Edition
GCE A-Level H2 Physics 2027