SHM Conceptual Problems

A mass-spring system can oscillate with simple harmonic motion because a compressed or stretched spring has which kind of energy?

• kinetic

• mechanical

• gravitational potential

• elastic potential

Which position shows the spring with maximum elastic potential energy?

• A

• B

• C

• D

The spring constant of an object tells you?

• What type of spring you are dealing with

• How long the spring will stretch or compress

• It gives you a value on how easy or hard it is to change the objects length.

• A spring constant gives you a number which tells you what material the spring is made of.

A mass attached to a spring vibrates back and forth. At the equilibrium position, the

• acceleration reaches a maximum.

• velocity reaches a maximum.

• net force reaches a maximum.

• velocity reaches zero.

Which letter represents amplitude? (a)  

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Maximum kinetic energy of an oscillator occurs at ___

• Maximum Displacement from equilibrium

• Equilibrium

• half way between equilibrium and x_max

• Not given

If the mass on an oscillating spring is doubled, the time period, T, will ???

• Increase

• Decrease

• Stay the same

The equation for spring force is

• F_sp = mgh

• F_sp = 1/2kx²

• F_sp = Fd

• F_sp = -kx

A pendulum exhibits simple harmonic motion when the angle of displacement is small. What is the restoring force in this case?

• A) Tension in the string

• B) Gravitational force

• C) Frictional force

• D) Centripetal force

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

In simple harmonic motion, the acceleration of the object is always directed towards which point?

• A) Maximum displacement

• B) Equilibrium position

• C) Midway between equilibrium and maximum displacement

• D) Opposite to the direction of velocity