Tutorial (Waves and Oscillations)

1. The period of oscillation of an object in an ideal mass-spring system is 0.50 s and the
amplitude is 5.0 cm. Find the speed at equilibrium point.

2. A spring having a spring constant k=40 N/m is stretched by an object having mass 0.500
kg hung motionless from the spring. How much can the spring be stretched?

3. A boy throws a cut of bread on spring scales which oscillates about the equilibrium
position with a period of T = 0.500 s. The amplitude of the vibration is A = 2.00 cm (path
length 4.00 cm). Find:
a. frequency
b. the maximum acceleration
c. the maximum velocity
d. the acceleration when the displacement is 1.00 cm
e. the velocity when the displacement is 1.00 cm
f. the equation of motion as a function of time if the displacement is A at t = 0

4. A mass m = 0.75 kg hangs at the end of a vertical spring whose top end is fixed to the
ceiling. The spring has a spring constant k = 105 N/m and negligible mass. At time t = 0 the
mass is released from rest at distance d = 0.35 m below its equilibrium height and undergoes
simple harmonic motion with its position given as a function of time by y(t)=Acos(ωt−ϕ).
The +y axis points upwards.
a. Find the angular frequency of oscillations in radians per second.
b. Determine the value of A in meters.
c. Determine the value of ϕ in radians.
d. Enter an expression for velocity along y axis as function of time in terms of A, ωω and t
using the value of ϕ from part c.
e. What is the velocity of mass at time t = 0.25 s?
f. What is the magnitude of mass's maximum acceleration?

5. A mass suspended from a spring is pulled down a distance of 2 feet from its rest position.
The mass is released at time t = 0 and allowed to oscillate. If the mass returns to this position
after 1 second, find an equation that describes its motion then find at what two times within
one cycle is the spring at 1.5 feet above its rest position?

6. A 50-kg block is attached to a spring of constant k = 20 kN/m and can move without
friction in a vertical slot. It is acted upon by a periodic force of magnitude P = Pm sin ωft,
where ωf = 18 rad/s. Knowing that the amplitude of the motion is 3 mm, determine the value
of Pm.

7. It is known that a load with a mass of 200 g will stretch a spring 10.0 cm. The spring is
then stretched an additional 5.00 cm and released. Find:
a. the spring constant
b. the period of vibration and frequency
c. the maximum acceleration
d. the velocity through equilibrium positions
e. the equation of motion

Multiple choice questions:

1. Which of the following represent simple harmonic motion?
(i) x = A sin ωt + B cos ωt
(ii) x = A sin ωt+ B cos 2ωt
(iii) x = A eiωt
(iv) x = A ln ωt
2. When an object is oscillating in simple harmonic motion in the vertical direction, its
maximum speed occurs when the object
(a) is at its highest point.
(b) is at its lowest point.
(c) is at the equilibrium point.
(d) has the maximum net force exerted on it.
(e) has a position equal to its amplitude.
3. A system consists of a mass vibrating on the end of a spring. The total mechanical energy
of this system
(a) varies as a sine or cosine function.
(b) is constant only when the mass is at maximum displacement.
(c) is a maximum when the mass is at its equilibrium position only.
(d) is constant, regardless of the displacement of the mass from the equilibrium
position.
(e) is always equal to the square of the amplitude.
4. A pendulum is oscillating with a total mechanical energy E0. When the pendulum is at its
maximum displacement, the kinetic energy K and the potential energy U are
(a) K=E0/2; U=E0/2 (b) K=0; U=E0 (c) K= E0; U= E0
(d) K=E0; U=0 (e) K=E0; U=E0/2
5. A wave of the form A sin(ωt+ π) is added to a string carrying a wave of the form A sin(ωt).
What is the equation of the resulting wave?
(a) 0 (b) 2A sin(ωt) (c) A sin(ωt+ π/2) (d) -2Asin(ωt) (e) none of [a-d]