4.

1 Simple harmonic motion

1a. [4 marks]

This question is about simple harmonic motion (SHM).

The graph shows the variation with time of the acceleration of an object X undergoing simple
harmonic motion (SHM).

Determine the maximum displacement of X. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant
figures.

1b. [2 marks]

A second object Y oscillates with the same frequency as X but with a phase difference of . Sketch,
using the graph opposite, how the acceleration of object Y varies with .

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3. [1 mark]

A liquid in a U-tube is given an initial displacement and allowed to oscillate. The motion of the liquid is
recorded using a motion sensor. Which graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of the
liquid?

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4. [1 mark]

A body undergoes simple harmonic motion. Which graph correctly shows the variation with
displacement x of the velocity v of the body?

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5. [1 mark]

The diagram shows the variation of velocity v with time t for an object performing simple harmonic
motion.

Which of the following shows how the acceleration a varies with t?

6. [1 mark]

For a body undergoing simple harmonic motion, the velocity and acceleration are

A. always in the same direction.

B. always in opposite directions.

C. in the same direction for a quarter of the period.

D. in the same direction for half the period.

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7. [1 mark]

A pendulum swings back and forth in a circular arc between X and Y.

The pendulum bob is

A. always in equilibrium.

B. only in equilibrium at X and Y.

C. in equilibrium as it passes through the central position.

D. never in equilibrium.

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8. [1 mark]

The graph shows measurements of the height h of sea level at different times t in the Bay of Fundy.

Which of the following gives the approximate amplitude and period of the tides? Test.

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9. [1 mark]

The diagrams show the variation with time t of the displacement y of a particle of a medium through
which a wave travels. Which diagram correctly shows the period T and amplitude A of the wave?

10a. [2 marks]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about simple harmonic motion and the superposition of waves.
Part 2 is about gravitational fields.

Part 1 Simple harmonic motion and the superposition of waves

An object of mass m is placed on a frictionless surface and attached to a light horizontal spring. The
other end of the spring is fixed.

The equilibrium position is at B. The direction B to C is taken to be positive. The object is released from
position A and executes simple harmonic motion between positions A and C.

Define simple harmonic motion.

10b. [3 marks]
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 (i) On the axes below, sketch a graph to show how the acceleration of the mass varies with
displacement from the equilibrium position B.

(ii) On your graph, label the points that correspond to the positions A, B and C.

10c. [3 marks]

(i) On the axes below, sketch a graph to show how the velocity of the mass varies with time from the
moment of release from A until the mass returns to A for the first time.

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 (ii) On your graph, label the points that correspond to the positions A, B and C.

10d. [3 marks]

The period of oscillation is 0.20s and the distance from A to B is 0.040m. Determine the maximum
speed of the mass.

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11. [1 mark]

The graph shows how the displacement varies with time for an object undergoing simple harmonic
motion.

Which graph shows how the object’s acceleration a varies with time t?

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12. [1 mark]

Which graph correctly shows how the acceleration, of a particle undergoing SHM varies with its
displacement, from its equilibrium position?

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13. [1 mark]

The graph shows how the velocity of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion varies with time
for one complete period of oscillation.

Which of the following sketch graphs best shows how the total energy of the object varies with ?

14. [2 marks]

This question is about simple harmonic motion (SHM).

The graph shows the variation with time of the acceleration of an object X undergoing simple
harmonic motion (SHM).

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 Define simple harmonic motion (SHM).

15. [1 mark]

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

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16. [1 mark]

This question is about simple harmonic motion (SHM).

The graph shows the variation with time of the acceleration of an object X undergoing simple
harmonic motion (SHM).

X has a mass of 0.28 kg. Calculate the maximum force acting on X.

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17. [1 mark]

A particle performs simple harmonic oscillations. Which of the following quantities will be unaffected
by a reduction in the amplitude of oscillations?

A. The total energy

B. The maximum speed

C. The maximum acceleration

D. The period

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