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Junior Inter Physics

Oscillations

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Long Answer Questions

1.

Show that the motion of a simple pendulum is simple harmonic and hence
derive an equation for its time period. What is seconds pendulum?

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A: An ideal pendulum consists of a heavy metallic bob suspended by means of a

uniform, tensionless string from a rigid support. The distance between point of
suspension and centre of gravity of the sphere is known as length of the
pendulum (l). If the pendulum is pulled aside by a small angle '' and released,
then it begins to oscillate in the vertical plane. The force 'mg' can be resolved into
two components, 'mg cos' and 'mg sin'. The bob has radial and tangential
accelerations. Then torque due to tangential component of force is = l (mg
sin ).

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've' sign shows that restoring torque

If '' is very small sin =

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= l (mg )

But = I, where 'I' is moment of inertia of the system and is angular

acceleration.

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I = l (mg )
=

( )

l mg

I

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On comparing this relation with

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a = 2y

2 () =

lmg

I

l mg
2 =
I

R-13-1-15

( )

2 2 l mg
mg
g
=
=

ml
l
T
ml2

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>

l
T = 2
g

>

Second's Pendulum: A pendulum whose time

mg sin
mg

s
co
mg

>

period of oscillation is two seconds is called Second's

Pendulum.

Short Answer Questions

2.

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Obtain an equation for the frequency of spring of force constant K to which

a mass 'm' is attached.

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A: Consider one end of a massless spring is suspended from a fixed point, other end
is attached to a mass 'm'. When it is pulled down and released, the body makes
vertical oscillations which are simple harmonic. The restoring force acting on the
body is directly proportional to displacement (x).

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F = K x, K is spring constant
ma = Kx

( )

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K
2
a=
m x = x

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1
Frequency of Oscillation = =
T
2

3.

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2
2
m
= T = = 2
T

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Derive expression for the KE and PE of a simple harmonic oscillator.

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A: (i) The displacement of SH oscillator is y = A sint

dy
Velocity of SHO is, = V = A cos t
dt

V = A2 y2

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1
2
KE of SHO is K =
2 mv
1
2
=
2 m [A cos t]
1
2 2
2
K =
2 m A cos t
1
2 (A2 y2)
K=
2 m

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(ii) In case of SHO the work done against the restoring force is stored as PE.
1
PE of SHO is U = Ky2
2
1
2 2
U=
2m y
1
2 2
2
U=
2 m A sin t

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Very Short Answer Questions

4.

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Can a simple pendulum be used in an artificial satellite?

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A: No, this is because inside the satellite there is gravity.

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i.e. g = 0,
T = 2 , T = .
g

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Thus the pendulum will not oscillate.

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5.

What happens to the energy of a simple harmonic oscillator, if its amplitude

is doubled?
1
2 2
A: E =
2 m A
E1
A12
4A2
2
E A E1 = E1
E2
A22
A2

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E2 = 4E1

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Energy becomes quadrupled.

6.

A girl is swinging seated in a swing. What is the effect on the frequency of

oscillation if she stands?

A: As T l . If a girl sitting in a swing stands up, as centre of mass raised up,

length of pendulum decreases, time period decreases, frequency of oscillation
increases.
7.

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A bob of pendulum is a hallow sphere filled with water. How will the period
of oscillation change, if the water begins to drain out of the hallow sphere.

A: When water begins to drain out of the sphere, the centre of mass of the system
will first move down and then will come upto the initial position. Due to this the
equivalent length of the pendulum and hence the time period first increases,
reaches a maximum value and then decreases till it becomes equal to the initial
value.

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8.

The bob of simple pendulum is made of wood, what will be the effect on the
time period if the wooden bob is replaced by an identical aluminium bob?

A: The time period of a simple pendulum does not change, if the wooden bob is
replaced by an identical bob of aluminium because the time period of a simple
pendulum is independent of the material of the bob.

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Writer: R. Sudha Rani

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