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Physics 295 Oscillation Problems

1. A body oscillates with simple harmonic motion along the x-axis. Its displacement varies with time according to the
equation x = 5.0 sin (t). The acceleration (in m/s2) of the body at t = 1.0 s is approximately
a. 3.5
b. 49
c. 14
d. 0
e. 4.3
2. The motion of a particle connected to a spring is described by x = 10 sin (t). At what time (in s) is the potential
energy equal to the kinetic energy?
a. 0
b. 0.25
c. 0.50
d. 0.79
e. 1.0
3. The amplitude of a system moving with simple harmonic motion is doubled. The total energy will then be
a. 4 times larger
b. 3 times larger
c. 2 times larger
d. the same as it was
e. half as much
4. A mass m = 2.0 kg is attached to a spring having a force constant k = 290 N/m as in the figure. The mass is
displaced from its equilibrium position and released. Its frequency of oscillation (in Hz) is approximately

a. 12
b. 0.50
c. 0.01
d. 1.9
e. 0.08
5. A graph of position versus time for an object oscillating at the free end of a horizontal spring is shown below. A
point or points at which the object has positive velocity and zero acceleration is(are)

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
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B
C
D
B or D
A or E

6. At sea level, at a latitude where

, a pendulum that takes 2.00 s for a complete swing back and forth
has a length of 0.993 m. What is the value of g in m/s2 at a location where the length of such a pendulum is 0.970
m?
a. 0.0983
c. 9.57
e. 38.3
b. 3.05
d. 10.0

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Answer Section
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ANS: D

PTS: 1

2. ANS: B

PTS: 1

3. ANS: A

PTS: 1

4. ANS: D

PTS: 1

5. ANS: E

PTS: 1

6. ANS: C

PTS: 1