Chapter 13 Clicker Questions

Essential University Physics

Richard Wolfson
2nd Edition

Oscillatory Motion

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Clicker 13-1

Clicker Question 1

Two identical mass-spring systems are displaced

different amounts from equilibrium and then released
at different times. Which of the following is true for
both systems?
A. The frequencies and the periods are the same.

B. The amplitudes and the frequencies are the same.

C. The phase constants and the amplitude are the same.
D. The periods and the phase constants are the same.

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-2

Clicker Question 2

What happens to the period of a pendulum if it is

moved to a planet whose gravitational acceleration is
one-fourth that of Earth?
A. The period is halved.

B. The period is doubled.

C. The period is quadrupled.
D. The period is quartered.

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-3

Clicker Question 3

What happens to the period of a pendulum if its length

is quadrupled?
A. The period is halved.

B. The period is doubled.

C. The period is quadrupled.
D. The period is quartered.

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-4

Clicker Question 4

The figure shows the paths traced out in the horizontal

plane by two pendulums swinging with two different
frequencies in two perpendicular directions. What is the
ratio of the x-direction frequency to the y-direction
frequency?

A.
B.
C.
D.

1:2
2:3
3:2
5:2

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-5

Clicker Question 5

The figure shows the paths traced out in the horizontal

plane by two pendulums swinging with two different
frequencies in two perpendicular directions. What is the
ratio of the x-direction frequency to the y-direction
frequency?

A.
B.
C.
D.

1:2
2:3
3:2
5:2

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-6

Clicker Question 6

Two different mass-spring systems are oscillating with

the same amplitude. If one has twice as much total
energy as the other, how does the spring constant of
the more energetic system compare with that of the
less energetic system?
A. It is the same.
B. It is half as great.
C. It is one-fourth as great.
D. It is twice as great.
E. It is four times as great.

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-7

Clicker Question 7

What happens to an oscillating system when a periodic

driving force is applied to it?
The system will slow down and finally stop oscillating.
The system will oscillate at the frequency of the driving
force.
The system will oscillate at its natural frequency.
The system will become critically damped.
The system will become overdamped.

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Clicker 13-8

Clicker Question 8

If the total energy of a harmonic oscillator is reduced by a

factor of 3, the amplitude of the oscillations
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

increases by a factor of 3.
decreases by a factor of 3.
increases by a factor of 3 .
decreases by a factor of 3.
remains unchanged.

2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

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