Question 1

A simple pendulum consists of a small ball tied to a string and set in oscillation. As the pendulum swings the tension in the string is:

Accepted Answer

A)   constant
B)   a sinusoidal function of time
C)   the square of a sinusoidal function of time
D)   the reciprocal of a sinusoidal function of time
E)   none of the aboveF) None of the above
G) A) and B)

Question 2

Below are sets of values for the spring constant k, damping constant b, and mass m for a particle in damped harmonic motion. Which of the sets takes the longest time for its mechanical energy to decrease to one-fourth of its initial value?

Accepted Answer

A)   
B)   
C)   
D)   
E)   F) A) and B)
G) All of the above

Question 3

A 3-kg block, attached to a spring, executes simple harmonic motion according to x = 2cos(50t)  where x is in meters and t is in seconds. The spring constant of the spring is:

Accepted Answer

A)   1 N/m
B)   100 N/m
C)   150 N/m
D)   7500 N/m
E)   none of theseF) A) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 4

A block on a spring is subjected to an applied sinusoidal force AND to a damping force that is proportional to its velocity. The energy dissipated by damping is supplied by:

Accepted Answer

A)   the potential energy of the spring
B)   the kinetic energy of the mass
C)   gravity
D)   friction
E)   the applied forceF) B) and E)
G) B) and D)

Question 5

A simple pendulum is suspended from the ceiling of an elevator. The elevator is accelerating upwards with acceleration a. The period of this pendulum, in terms of its length L, g and a is:

Accepted Answer

A)   
B)   
C)   
D)   
E)   F) B) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 6

A sinusoidal force with a given amplitude is applied to an oscillator. To maintain the largest amplitude oscillation the frequency of the applied force should be:

Accepted Answer

A)   half the natural frequency of the oscillator
B)   the same as the natural frequency of the oscillator
C)   twice the natural frequency of the oscillator
D)   unrelated to the natural frequency of the oscillator
E)   determined from the maximum speed desiredF) A) and B)
G) B) and E)

Question 7

A particle is in simple harmonic motion with period T. At time t = 0 it is at the equilibrium point. At which of the following times is it furthest from the equilibrium point?

Accepted Answer

A)   0.5T
B)   0.7T
C)   T
D)   1.4T
E)   1.5TF) D) and E)
G) All of the above

Question 8

A mass-spring system is oscillating with amplitude A. The kinetic energy will equal the potential energy only when the displacement is

Accepted Answer

A)   zero
B)    ±\pm±  A/4
C)   
D)    ±\pm±  A/2
E)   anywhere between -A and +A F) All of the above
G) C) and D)

Question 9

A particle is in simple harmonic motion along the x axis. The amplitude of the motion is xm. At one point in its motion its kinetic energy is K = 5J and its potential energy (measured with U = 0 at x = 0)  is U = 3J. When it is at x = xm, the kinetic and potential energies are:

Accepted Answer

A)   K = 5J and U = 3J
B)   K = 5J and U = -3J
C)   K = 8J and U = 0
D)   K = 0 and U = 8J
E)   K = 0 and U = -8JF) A) and E)
G) B) and D)

Question 10

Five hoops are each pivoted at a point on the rim and allowed to swing as physical pendulums. The masses and radii are  Order the hoops according to the periods of their motions, smallest to largest.

Accepted Answer

A)   1, 2, 3, 4, 5
B)   5, 4, 3, 2, 1
C)   1, 2, 3, 5, 4
D)   1, 2, 5, 4, 3
E)   5, 4, 1, 2, 3F) A) and B)
G) D) and E)

Question 11

Both the x and y coordinates of a point execute simple harmonic motion. The result might be a circular orbit if:

Accepted Answer

A)   the amplitudes are the same but the frequencies are different
B)   the amplitudes and frequencies are both the same
C)   the amplitudes and frequencies are both different
D)   the phase constants are the same but the amplitudes are different
E)   the amplitudes and the phase constants are both differentF) C) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 12

An object attached to one end of a spring makes 20 vibrations in 10 seconds. Its frequency is:

Accepted Answer

A)   2 Hz
B)   10 s
C)   0.05 Hz
D)   2 s
E)   0.50 sF) A) and C)
G) B) and E)

Question 13

In simple harmonic motion, the magnitude of the acceleration is:

Accepted Answer

A)   constant
B)   proportional to the displacement
C)   inversely proportional to the displacement
D)   greatest when the velocity is greatest
E)   never greater than gF) B) and C)
G) D) and E)

Question 14

An object is undergoing simple harmonic motion. Throughout a complete cycle it:

Accepted Answer

A)   has constant speed
B)   has varying amplitude
C)   has varying period
D)   has varying acceleration
E)   has varying massF) A) and C)
G) A) and B)

Question 15

A 0.25-kg block oscillates on the end of the spring with a spring constant of 200 N/m. If the oscillation is started by elongating the spring 0.15 m and giving the block a speed of 3.0 m/s, then the maximum speed of the block is:

Accepted Answer

A)   0.13 m/s
B)   0.18 m/s
C)   3.7 m/s
D)   5.2 m/s
E)   13 m/sF) A) and B)
G) A) and D)

Question 16

A meter stick is pivoted at a point a distance a from its center and swings as a physical pendulum. Of the following values for a, which results in the shortest period of oscillation?

Accepted Answer

A)   a = 0.1 m
B)   a = 0.2 m
C)   a = 0.3 m
D)   a = 0.4 m
E)   a = 0.5 mF) All of the above
G) C) and D)

Question 17

The amplitude and phase constant of an oscillator are determined by:

Accepted Answer

A)   the frequency
B)   the angular frequency
C)   the initial displacement alone
D)   the initial velocity alone
E)   both the initial displacement and velocityF) None of the above
G) B) and D)

Question 18

A simple harmonic oscillator consists of a mass m and an ideal spring with spring constant k. The particle oscillates as shown in (i)  with period T. If the spring is cut in half and used with the same particle, as shown in (ii) , the period will be:

Accepted Answer

A)   2T
B)   
C)   
D)   T
E)   T/2F) A) and B)
G) A) and E)

Question 19

Two uniform spheres are pivoted on horizontal axes that are tangent to their surfaces. The one with the longer period of oscillation is the one with:

Accepted Answer

A)   the larger mass
B)   the smaller mass
C)   the larger rotational inertia
D)   the smaller rotational inertia
E)   the larger radiusF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 20

If the length of a simple pendulum is doubled, its period will:

Accepted Answer

A)   halve
B)   
C)   
D)   double
E)   remain the sameF) A) and E)
G) A) and C)

Exam 15: Oscillations

In simple harmonic motion, the magnitude of the acceleration is:

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The amplitude and phase constant of an oscillator are determined by:

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A sinusoidal force with a given amplitude is applied to an oscillator. To maintain the largest amplitude oscillation the frequency of the applied force should be:

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Both the x and y coordinates of a point execute simple harmonic motion. The result might be a circular orbit if:

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Two uniform spheres are pivoted on horizontal axes that are tangent to their surfaces. The one with the longer period of oscillation is the one with:

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If the length of a simple pendulum is doubled, its period will:

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An object is undergoing simple harmonic motion. Throughout a complete cycle it:

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A mass-spring system is oscillating with amplitude A. The kinetic energy will equal the potential energy only when the displacement is

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A 3-kg block, attached to a spring, executes simple harmonic motion according to x = 2cos(50t) where x is in meters and t is in seconds. The spring constant of the spring is:

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A simple pendulum is suspended from the ceiling of an elevator. The elevator is accelerating upwards with acceleration a. The period of this pendulum, in terms of its length L, g and a is:

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Five hoops are each pivoted at a point on the rim and allowed to swing as physical pendulums. The masses and radii are Order the hoops according to the periods of their motions, smallest to largest.

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A block on a spring is subjected to an applied sinusoidal force AND to a damping force that is proportional to its velocity. The energy dissipated by damping is supplied by:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A simple pendulum consists of a small ball tied to a string and set in oscillation. As the pendulum swings the tension in the string is:

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A particle is in simple harmonic motion along the x axis. The amplitude of the motion is xm. At one point in its motion its kinetic energy is K = 5J and its potential energy (measured with U = 0 at x = 0) is U = 3J. When it is at x = xm, the kinetic and potential energies are:

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A 0.25-kg block oscillates on the end of the spring with a spring constant of 200 N/m. If the oscillation is started by elongating the spring 0.15 m and giving the block a speed of 3.0 m/s, then the maximum speed of the block is:

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A simple harmonic oscillator consists of a mass m and an ideal spring with spring constant k. The particle oscillates as shown in (i) with period T. If the spring is cut in half and used with the same particle, as shown in (ii) , the period will be:

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Below are sets of values for the spring constant k, damping constant b, and mass m for a particle in damped harmonic motion. Which of the sets takes the longest time for its mechanical energy to decrease to one-fourth of its initial value?

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A particle is in simple harmonic motion with period T. At time t = 0 it is at the equilibrium point. At which of the following times is it furthest from the equilibrium point?

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A meter stick is pivoted at a point a distance a from its center and swings as a physical pendulum. Of the following values for a, which results in the shortest period of oscillation?

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An object attached to one end of a spring makes 20 vibrations in 10 seconds. Its frequency is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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A particle is in simple harmonic motion along the x axis. The amplitude of the motion is x_m. At one point in its motion its kinetic energy is K = 5J and its potential energy (measured with U = 0 at x = 0) is U = 3J. When it is at x = x_m, the kinetic and potential energies are:

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