11 - Simple Harmonic Motion Online Quiz Questions

True or false: In ideal simple harmonic motion, when the object is displaced from equilibrium, its acceleration is directed toward the equilibrium position.

For an ideal horizontal mass–spring oscillator, at which position is the object's speed greatest?

A $0.50\ \text{kg}$ block is attached to a spring with spring constant $200\ \text{N/m}$. Calculate its period. Enter the value in seconds; answers within 0.001 s are accepted.

For a small-angle simple pendulum, which change leaves its period unchanged?

Select all statements that correctly describe the period of an ideal mass–spring oscillator.

True or false: For an ideal spring oscillator, doubling the amplitude makes the total mechanical energy four times greater.

An oscillator has period $T=0.50\ \text{s}$. Calculate its angular frequency. Enter the value in radians per second; answers within 0.001 rad/s are accepted.

For an ideal pendulum oscillating without air resistance, select all correct statements about its energy.

For $x(t)=A\cos(\omega t+\phi)$, what is the initial displacement when the phase constant is $\phi=0$?

When a simple pendulum oscillates at a substantially larger amplitude than the small-angle regime, how does its actual period compare with $2\pi\sqrt{\ell/g}$?

In the ideal simple harmonic motion model, the oscillation continues indefinitely with constant amplitude.

An ideal oscillator starts at $x=+A$ and moves toward equilibrium. How much time passes before it reaches $x=-A$ for the first time?

A frictionless mass–spring oscillator has amplitude $A$. At the instant when its displacement magnitude is $A/2$, what fraction of its total mechanical energy is kinetic?

A small-amplitude simple pendulum is replaced by one whose length is four times as large at the same location. How does its period change?

An ideal mass is attached to a vertical spring. If the local gravitational field becomes stronger, what happens to the oscillation period, assuming the mass and spring constant remain unchanged?

An oscillator has amplitude $A=0.120\ \text{m}$ and angular frequency $\omega=5.00\ \text{rad/s}$. What is the maximum magnitude of its acceleration? Enter the value in $\text{m/s}^2$ to three significant figures.

The length of a small-amplitude simple pendulum is increased by a factor of 9 while the local gravitational field remains constant. By what numerical factor does its period increase?

A frictionless spring oscillator has amplitude $A=0.20\ \text{m}$, angular frequency $\omega=4.0\ \text{rad/s}$, and displacement $x=0.12\ \text{m}$. Use conservation of energy to determine the possible velocities at that displacement. Explain why there are two possible signs.