Simple Harmonic Motion Concepts

This video by Mr. Andersen covers simple harmonic motion, focusing on mass spring oscillators and pendulums. It explains the concept of equilibrium and restoring forces, and how these lead to harmonic motion. The video discusses the period of oscillation, how it is affected by mass, spring stiffness, pendulum length, and gravitational field strength. Through PHET simulations, it demonstrates how these factors influence the period. The video concludes with a summary of key points and encourages viewers to understand the properties affecting harmonic motion.

What is an example of simple harmonic motion?

• A car driving on a highway

• A child on a swing

• A leaf falling from a tree

• A bird flying in the sky

What happens to the period of a mass spring oscillator when the mass is increased?

• The period becomes zero

• The period increases

• The period remains the same

• The period decreases

In a pendulum, what factor does not affect the period?

• Angle of release

• Gravitational field strength

• Mass of the pendulum

• Length of the pendulum

At what point in simple harmonic motion is the velocity of an object at its maximum?

• At the maximum displacement

• At the starting point

• At the equilibrium position

• At the minimum displacement

What is the effect of increasing the stiffness of a spring on the period of a mass spring oscillator?

• The period increases

• The period becomes infinite

• The period remains unchanged

• The period decreases

In a mass spring oscillator, what happens to the period when the mass is decreased?

• The period increases

• The period decreases

• The period remains the same

• The period becomes zero

How does decreasing the length of a pendulum affect its period?

• The period becomes zero

• The period decreases

• The period increases

• The period remains the same

What effect does increasing gravitational field strength have on the period of a pendulum?

• The period becomes infinite

• The period remains unchanged

• The period decreases

• The period increases

Which of the following affects the period of a pendulum?

• Material of the pendulum

• Mass of the pendulum

• Length of the pendulum

• Color of the pendulum

What happens to the period of a pendulum when it is moved to a location with a stronger gravitational field?

• The period increases

• The period becomes zero

• The period decreases

• The period remains the same