Simple Harmonic Motion (SL IB Physics)

A point on a guitar string S oscillates about its equilibrium position Z in simple harmonic motion.

The amplitude of the oscillation is YZ.

Which positions show when the acceleration of point S is at a maximum and the velocity of point S is at zero?

A simple pendulum and a mass-spring system oscillate about their equilibrium positions with simple harmonic motion. On Earth, the period of the oscillations is T. The pendulum and the mass-spring system are taken to Mars where the acceleration of free fall is smaller than on Earth.

Which answer best describes the period of the pendulum and the mass-spring system on Mars?

Choose the correct statement describing the quantities that remain constant for an object in SHM.

Which of the following is a correct arrangement for the maximum displacement of a particle performing simple harmonic motion?

An ion in a crystal lattice structure oscillates with simple harmonic motion. The period of the oscillation is T. T is measured from equilibrium.

Which graph shows the change in kinetic energy of the ion from time t = 0 to t = ?

A simple pendulum performs simple harmonic motion. The pendulum bob has a mass m, the string has a length l, and the pendulum has a period T. 

Which is the correct value for the period T if the mass of the pendulum bob is doubled and the length of the string is halved?

A mass-spring system oscillates about its equilibrium position in simple harmonic motion. A bulb on the motion sensor lights up each time the block passes the equilibrium position.

The block has a mass m and oscillates with a period T. 

Select the new mass that would cause the period to double.

A simple pendulum oscillates with simple harmonic motion as shown.

At which positions are the acceleration at zero, the displacement at a negative maximum, and velocity at a maximum?

Which line identifies quantities which always have opposite directions during simple harmonic motion?

A particle, P, oscillates on the line XZ about its equilibrium point Y, in simple harmonic motion.

At the point shown, which statement could be correct about the motion of the particle?

A pendulum is undergoing simple harmonic motion with a time period T and angular frequency ω.

A student makes a change to the set up so that the pendulum has a new time period 3T.

What is the new angular frequency?

A pendulum is made to swing by a student pulling the bob to the left and releasing it. The student is careful to displace the bob by only a small amount.

After two full oscillations, the motion of the pendulum is plotted on a graph.

At which point is the velocity of the bob towards the right?

Which of the following graphs shows the variation with displacement x of the speed v of a particle performing simple harmonic motion?

Which graph correctly represents the relationship between acceleration, a, and displacement, x, in simple harmonic motion?

The graph shows the motion of an oscillating body.

What is the frequency of the oscillation?

The following graph shows the acceleration as a function of time for a simple pendulum oscillating isochronously. 

Which of the following gives the times at which kinetic energy is at a maximum?

A mass-spring system is set up horizontally on a frictionless surface. The spring is extended to the left and released so that the mass oscillates in SHM.

Taking motion to the left to be positive, which of the following statements is correct about the motion of the mass?

An object oscillates about its equilibrium position periodically. It has a total energy E and period T. The amplitude is reduced to one quarter of the original amplitude.

What is the new total energy and period of the system?

	Total energy	Period
A.
B.
C.
D.

A simple pendulum and a mass-spring system are set up such that the period of the oscillations are equal. The mass of the pendulum and the mass-spring system are initially identical. The set-up is repeated but this time the masses of both systems are reduced by three quarters.

What is the ratio of the time period of the pendulum to the time period of the mass-spring system after the masses have been changed?

A simple pendulum oscillates with a time period T near the surface of the Earth. The same pendulum is moved to the surface of the Moon where the acceleration of free fall is 0.2 g.

What is the best estimate for the value of T for the pendulum near the surface of the moon?

A body of mass 0.40 kg is subjected to a force F which varies with its displacement x from a fixed point as shown in the graph below.

What is the maximum velocity of the body?

The table below shows the values for the acceleration and displacement of a particle moving isochronously.

What is the period of the motion?

A pendulum bob is suspended by a thread. The bob is moved to the right and released so that the pendulum oscillates isochronously. 

Taking motion to the left to be positive, which of the following statements is incorrect about the motion of the pendulum?

When an object oscillates in simple harmonic motion, a restoring force acts toward the equilibrium position.

Which graph shows the restoring force, F, as a function of displacement, x?

The graph below shows the displacement as a function of time for a particle in SHM.

At certain points in the oscillation, the acceleration and velocity act in opposite directions. 

Which letter indicates such a point?

A mass is attached to a spring from above and the spring is secured to a clamp. The mass is pulled down and released resulting in a simple harmonic oscillation. 

Which one of the following statements is true?

A pendulum bob on a string oscillates in SHM with a frequency, f. 

The period, T, of a simple pendulum is related to the length of the string, l, and the acceleration of free fall, g, by the following equation:

What would the ratio be of the original frequency to the new frequency if the length of the string was increased by a factor of 4?

A simple pendulum oscillates in SHM.

Which row correctly describes the force, F, acceleration, a, and velocity, v, at position Y?

A mass spring system is set up so that the mass glides on a frictionless surface between two springs on a horizontal bench. The mass-spring system performs SHM

Which of the following statements is true?

A mass-spring system has a period, T, mass, m, and a spring constant, k. These quantities are related by the following equation:

A new spring has a spring constant of 3 times the original value.

Using this new spring, which mass would cause the period, T, to decrease by a factor of 6?

The graph below shows the kinetic energy of a simple pendulum as a function of time. The time period of the pendulum is T. 

What does the length of the line JK represent?

The period, T, of a simple pendulum depends upon the length of the string, l, and the acceleration of free fall, g, as defined by the following equation:

If the length of the string was reduced by a factor of 5, what would be the resulting period of the new oscillator?