SHM Multiple Choice Practice

A spring oscillates with a period of 4 seconds when 3 kg of mass are attached to it. If 9 kg are ADDED to this mass, what is the new period of the spring mass oscillator?

• 4 sec

• 8 sec

• 12 sec

• 16 sec

• 24 sec

When the units of mass are divided by the units for the spring constant, k, the result are units of:

• Length

• Force

• Time

• Time squared

• Energy

Oscillator 1 consists of mass m and a spring force constant k. The position vs time graph for oscillator 1 is shown. Oscillator 2 consists of the same mass, m but a spring force constant of 4k. Which position vs time graph could model Oscillator 2?

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A mass hanging vertically from a spring stretches the spring a distance x when in equilibrium and has period T when set into oscillation. The spring mass system is then set on an incline as shown. When on the incline, how do the new equilibrium stretch and new period compare?

• smaller stretch, smaller period

• smaller stretch, same period

• smaller stretch, larger period

• same stretch, smaller period

• same stretch, larger period

Which of the following explains why a pendulum undergoing large amplitude oscillations does NOT exhibit simple harmonic motion?

• There is no force that opposes the pendulums displacememt

• The potential energy is not a minumum at the pendulum's equilibrium position

• The equilibrium position is not at the midpoint of the pendulum's oscillation

• The restoring force is not directly proportional to displacement

• The period of the pendulum does not depend on its mass

On another planet, a simple pendulum is constructed that has a string of variable length L. For various lenghts the period T of the pendulum is measured. The graph shows the square of the period plotted versus the pendulum's length. What is the acceleration of gravity on this planet?

• 0.05 m/s^2

• 20 m/s^2

• 80 m/s^2

• 200 m/s^2

• 800 m/s^2

A mass performs simple harmonic oscillations when attached to a vertical spring. The position of the mass is shown in the graph as a function of time, where upward is considered positive. At what time does the mass have the greatest upward acceleration?

• 1sec

• 2sec

• 3sec

• 4sec

• never

A mass performs simple harmonic oscillations when attached to a vertical spring. The position of the mass is shown in the graph as a function of time where upward is considered positive. At what times does the object have the greatest kinetic energy?

• 2 sec and 3 sec

• 1 sec and 3 sec

• 1 sec and 4 sec

• 3 sec and 4 sec

• 2 sec and 4 sec

A student measures the motion of a spring mass oscillator and calculates a regresson equation based on the oscillator's motion. The equation is x = 0.10cos(5.4t). The student takes down the amplitude and angular frequency from this equation. Which of the following can the student calculate from these values?

• the mass of the oscillator

• the spring constant of the oscillator

• the maximum speed attained by the oscillator

• the acceleration due to gravity, g

Consider a simple pendulum of period T when on Earth. What is the new period if the pendulum is taken to a planet that has 25 times the mass of Earth and 4 times the radius of Earth?

• 5/2 T

• 4/5 T

• 25/2 T

• 5/4 T

• 2/25 T