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1.

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

Which graph shows how the objects acceleration a varies with time t?

(Total 1 mark)

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2.

A particle oscillates with simple harmonic motion with period T.


At time t = 0, the particle has its maximum displacement. Which graph shows the variation with
time t of the kinetic energy Ek of the particle?

(Total 1 mark)

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3.

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

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

(Total 1 mark)

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4.

The graphs show how the acceleration a of four different particles varies with their
displacement x.
Which of the particles is executing simple harmonic motion?

(Total 1 mark)

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5.

An object at the end of a spring oscillates vertically with simple harmonic motion. The graph
shows the variation with time t of the displacement x. The amplitude is x0 and the period of
oscillation is T.

Which of the following is the correct expression for the displacement x?


A.

x 0 cos

B.

x 0 cos

C.

x 0 sin

D.

x 0 sin

2
t
T

2
t
T
2
t
T

2
t
T
(Total 1 mark)

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6.

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

(Total 1 mark)

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7.

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

(Total 1 mark)

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8.

A mass on the end of a horizontal spring is displaced from its equilibrium position by a distance
A and released. Its subsequent oscillations have total energy E and time period T.

An identical mass is attached to an identical spring. The maximum displacement is 2A.


Assuming this spring obeys Hookes law, which of the following gives the correct time period
and total energy?
New time period

New energy

A.

4E

B.

2E

C.

2T

4E

D.

2T

2E
(Total 1 mark)

9.

A cart, connected to two identical springs, is oscillating with simple harmonic motion between
two points X and Y that are equidistant from point O.

The cart is in equilibrium at


A.

all points between X and Y.

B.

point O only.

C.

points X and Y only.

D.

points O, X and Y only.


(Total 1 mark)

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10.

The graph below shows how the displacement x of a particle undergoing simple harmonic
motion varies with time t. The motion is undamped.

Which of the following graphs shows how the total energy E of the particle varies with time t?

(Total 1 mark)

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11.

The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of a particle undergoing
simple harmonic motion.

Which graph correctly shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the particle?

(Total 1 mark)

12.

Simple harmonic motion and the greenhouse effect


(a)

A body is displaced from equilibrium. State the two conditions necessary for the body to
execute simple harmonic motion.
1.

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2.

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(2)

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(b)

In a simple model of a methane molecule, a hydrogen atom and the carbon atom can be
regarded as two masses attached by a spring. A hydrogen atom is much less massive than
the carbon atom such that any displacement of the carbon atom may be ignored.
The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x from its
equilibrium position of a hydrogen atom in a molecule of methane.

The mass of hydrogen atom is 1.7 1027 kg. Use data from the graph above

(i)

to determine its amplitude of oscillation.


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(1)

(ii)

to show that the frequency of its oscillation is 9.1 1013 Hz.


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(2)

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(iii)

to show that the maximum kinetic energy of the hydrogen atom is 6.2 1018 J.
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(2)

(c)

On the grid below, sketch a graph to show the variation with time t of the velocity v of the
hydrogen atom for one period of oscillation starting at t = 0. (There is no need to add
values to the velocity axis.)

(3)

(d)

Assuming that the motion of the hydrogen atom is simple harmonic, its frequency of
oscillation f is given by the expression
f=

1
2

k
,
mp

where k is the force per unit displacement between a hydrogen atom and the carbon atom
and mp is the mass of a proton.
(i)

Show that the value of k is approximately 560 N m1.


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(1)

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(ii)

Estimate, using your answer to (d)(i), the maximum acceleration of the hydrogen
atom.
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(2)

(e)

Methane is classified as a greenhouse gas.


(i)

Describe what is meant by a greenhouse gas.


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(2)

(ii)

Electromagnetic radiation of frequency 9.1 1013 Hz is in the infrared region of


the electromagnetic spectrum. Suggest, based on the information given in (b)(ii),
why methane is classified as a greenhouse gas.
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(2)
(Total 17 marks)

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13.

This question is about a simple pendulum.


(a)

A pendulum consists of a bob suspended by a light inextensible string from a rigid


support. The pendulum bob is moved to one side and then released. The sketch graph
shows how the displacement of the pendulum bob undergoing simple harmonic motion
varies with time over one time period.

On the sketch graph above,


(i)

label with the letter A a point at which the acceleration of the pendulum bob is a
maximum.
(1)

(ii)

label with the letter V a point at which the speed of the pendulum bob is a
maximum.
(1)

(b)

Explain why the magnitude of the tension in the string at the midpoint of the oscillation is
greater than the weight of the pendulum bob.
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(3)

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(c)

The pendulum bob is moved to one side until its centre is 25 mm above its rest position
and then released.

(i)

Show that the speed of the pendulum bob at the midpoint of the oscillation is
0.70 m s1.
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(2)

(ii)

The mass of the pendulum bob is 0.057 kg. The centre of the pendulum bob is 0.80
m below the support. Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the string when the
pendulum bob is vertically below the point of suspension.
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(3)

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(d)

The point of suspension of the pendulum bob is moved from side to side with a small
amplitude and at a variable driving frequency f.

For each value of the driving frequency a steady constant amplitude A is reached. The
oscillations of the pendulum bob are lightly damped.

(i)

On the axes below, sketch a graph to show the variation of A with f.

(2)

(ii)

Explain, with reference to the graph in (d)(i), what is meant by resonance.


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(2)

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(e)

The pendulum bob is now immersed in water and the variable frequency driving force in
(d) is again applied. Suggest the effect this immersion of the pendulum bob will have on
the shape of your graph in (d)(i).
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(2)
(Total 16 marks)

14.

This question is about simple harmonic motion.


(a)

In terms of the acceleration, state two conditions necessary for a system to perform
simple harmonic motion.
1. ..................................................................................................................................
2. ..................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

A tuning fork is sounded and it is assumed that each tip vibrates with simple harmonic
motion.

The extreme positions of the oscillating tip of one fork are separated by a distance d.

(i)

State, in terms of d, the amplitude of vibration.


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(1)

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(ii)

On the axes below, sketch a graph to show how the displacement of one tip of the
tuning fork varies with time.

(1)

(iii)

On your graph, label the time period T and the amplitude a.


(2)

(c)

The frequency of oscillation of the tips is 440 Hz and the amplitude of oscillation of each
tip is 1.2 mm. Determine the maximum
(i)

linear speed of a tip.


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(2)

(ii)

acceleration of a tip.
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(2)
(Total 10 marks)

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15.

This question is about simple harmonic motion and waves.


An object is vibrating in air. The variation with displacement x of the acceleration a of the
object is shown below.

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(a)

State and explain two reasons why the graph opposite indicates that the object is
executing simple harmonic motion.
1. ..................................................................................................................................
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2. ..................................................................................................................................
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(4)

(b)

Use data from the graph to show that the frequency of oscillation is 350 Hz.
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(4)

(c)

The motion of the object gives rise to a longitudinal progressive (travelling) sound wave.
(i)

State what is meant by a longitudinal progressive wave.


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(2)

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(ii)

The speed of the wave is 330 m s1. Using the answer in (b), calculate the
wavelength of the wave.
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(2)
(Total 12 marks)

16.

This question is about oscillations and waves.


(a)

A rectangular piece of wood of length l floats in water with its axis vertical as shown in
diagram 1.

The length of wood below the surface is d. The wood is pushed vertically downwards a
distance A such that a length of wood is still above the water surface as shown in diagram
2. The wood is then released and oscillates vertically. At the instant shown in diagram 3,
the wood is moving downwards and the length of wood beneath the surface is d + x.

(i)

On diagram 3, draw an arrow to show the direction of the acceleration of the wood.
(1)

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(ii)

The acceleration a of the wood (in m s2) is related to x (in m) by the following
equation.
a=

14
x
l

Explain why this equation shows that the wood is executing simple harmonic
motion.
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(2)

(iii)

The period of oscillation of the wood is 1.4 s. Show that the length l of the wood is
0.70 m.
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(3)

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(b)

The wood in (a), as shown in diagram 2, is released at time t = 0. On the axes below,
sketch a graph to show how the velocity v of the wood varies with time over one period
of oscillation.

(1)

(c)

The distance A that the wood is initially pushed down is 0.12 m.


(i)

Calculate the magnitude of the maximum acceleration of the wood.


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(2)

(ii)

On your sketch graph in (b) label with the letter P one point where the magnitude
of the acceleration is a maximum.
(1)

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(d)

The oscillations of the wood generate waves in the water of wavelength 0.45 m.
The graph shows how the displacement D, of the water surface at a particular distance
from the wood varies with time t.

Using the graph, calculate the


(i)

speed of the waves.


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(2)

(ii)

ratio of the displacement at t = 1.75 s to the displacement at t = 0.35 s.


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(2)

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(iii)

ratio of the energy of the wave at t = 1.75 s to the energy at t = 0.35 s


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(1)
(Total 15 marks)

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