SHM QUESTIONS

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
 11

(b) The acceleration a and the displacement x of the ball are related by the expression
2k
a = –c mx
M
where k is the spring constant of one of the springs.

The mass M of the ball is 1.2 kg.

(i) Use data from Fig. 4.2 to determine the angular frequency ω of the oscillations of the
ball.

ω = .............................................. rad s–1 [2]

(ii) Use your answer in (i) to determine the value of k.

k = ............................................... N m–1 [2]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/O/N/19 [Turn over

45
 12

(c) The oscillator is switched on. The amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator is constant.

The angular frequency of the oscillations is gradually increased from 0.7ω to 1.3ω, where ω is
the angular frequency calculated in (b)(i).

(i) On the axes of Fig. 4.3, show the variation with angular frequency of the amplitude A of
oscillation of the ball.

0
0.7ω 1.0ω 1.3ω
angular frequency

Fig. 4.3
[2]

(ii) Some sand is now sprinkled on the horizontal surface.

The angular frequency of the oscillations is again gradually increased from 0.7ω to 1.3ω.

State two changes that occur to the line you have drawn on Fig. 4.3.

1. .......................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2. .......................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/O/N/19

46
 8

3 A hollow tube, sealed at one end, has a cross-sectional area A of 24 cm2.

The tube contains sand so that the total mass M of the tube and sand is 0.23 kg.

The tube floats upright in a liquid of density t, as illustrated in Fig. 3.1.

tube, area
of cross-section A

liquid, density t
h

sand

Fig. 3.1

The depth of the bottom of the tube below the liquid surface is h.

The tube is displaced vertically and then released. The variation with time t of the depth h is shown
in Fig. 3.2.

h / cm

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
t/s
Fig. 3.2

(a) Determine:
(i) the amplitude, in metres, of the oscillations

amplitude = ...................................................... m [1]

© UCLES 2019 9702/41/M/J/19

47
 9

(ii) the frequency of oscillation of the tube in the liquid

frequency = .....................................................Hz [2]

(iii) the acceleration of the tube when h is a maximum.

acceleration = .................................................m s–2 [2]

(b) The frequency f of oscillation of the tube is given by the expression

A tg
f=
1 c m
2π M
where g is the acceleration of free fall.

Calculate the density t of the liquid in which the tube is floating.

t = ...............................................kg m–3 [2]

(c) The oscillations illustrated in Fig. 3.2 are undamped. In practice, the liquid does cause light
damping.

On Fig. 3.2, draw a line to show light damping of the oscillations for time t = 0 to time t = 1.4 s.
[3]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2019 9702/41/M/J/19 [Turn over

48
 10

3 A spring is hung vertically from a fixed point. A mass M is hung from the other end of the spring, as
illustrated in Fig. 3.1.

spring

mass M

Fig. 3.1

The mass is displaced downwards and then released. The subsequent motion of the mass is
simple harmonic.

The variation with time t of the length L of the spring is shown in Fig. 3.2.

16

L / cm

14

12

10

8
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
t/s

Fig. 3.2

(a) State:

(i) one time at which the mass is moving with maximum speed

time = ..................................................... s [1]

(ii) one time at which the spring has maximum elastic potential energy.

time = ...................................................... s [1]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/M/J/19

49
 11

(b) Use data from Fig. 3.2 to determine, for the motion of the mass:

(i) the angular frequency ω

ω = .............................................. rad s–1 [2]

(ii) the maximum speed

maximum speed = ................................................ m s–1 [2]

(iii) the magnitude of the maximum acceleration.

maximum acceleration = ................................................ m s–2 [2]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/M/J/19 [Turn over

50
 12

(c) The mass M is now suspended from two springs, each identical to that in Fig. 3.1, as shown
in Fig. 3.3.

mass M

Fig. 3.3

Suggest and explain the change, if any, in the period of oscillation of the mass. A numerical
answer is not required.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/M/J/19

51
 8

3 A cylindrical tube, sealed at one end, has cross-sectional area A and contains some sand.
The total mass of the tube and the sand is M.

The tube floats upright in a liquid of density ρ, as illustrated in Fig. 3.1.

tube
cross-sectional
area A

sand
liquid
density ρ

equilibrium position x
of base of tube

Fig. 3.1

The tube is pushed a short distance into the liquid and then released.

(a) (i) State the two forces that act on the tube immediately after its release.

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State and explain the direction of the resultant force acting on the tube immediately after
its release.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) The acceleration a of the tube is given by the expression

Aρg
a=–  M x
where x is the vertical displacement of the tube from its equilibrium position.

Use the expression to explain why the tube undergoes simple harmonic oscillations in the
liquid.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/F/M/19

52
 9

(c) For a tube having cross-sectional area A of 4.5 cm2 and a total mass M of 0.17 kg, the period
of oscillation of the tube is 1.3 s.

(i) Determine the angular frequency ω of the oscillations.

ω = ................................................ rad s–1 [2]

(ii) Use your answer in (i) and the expression in (b) to determine the density ρ of the liquid in
which the tube is floating.

ρ = ................................................ kg m–3 [3]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/F/M/19 [Turn over

53
 8

3 A hollow tube, sealed at one end, has a cross-sectional area A of 24 cm2.

The tube contains sand so that the total mass M of the tube and sand is 0.23 kg.

The tube floats upright in a liquid of density t, as illustrated in Fig. 3.1.

tube, area
of cross-section A

liquid, density t
h

sand

Fig. 3.1

The depth of the bottom of the tube below the liquid surface is h.

The tube is displaced vertically and then released. The variation with time t of the depth h is shown
in Fig. 3.2.

h / cm

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
t/s
Fig. 3.2

(a) Determine:
(i) the amplitude, in metres, of the oscillations

amplitude = ...................................................... m [1]

© UCLES 2019 9702/43/M/J/19

54
 9

(ii) the frequency of oscillation of the tube in the liquid

frequency = .....................................................Hz [2]

(iii) the acceleration of the tube when h is a maximum.

acceleration = .................................................m s–2 [2]

(b) The frequency f of oscillation of the tube is given by the expression

A tg
f=
1 c m
2π M
where g is the acceleration of free fall.

Calculate the density t of the liquid in which the tube is floating.

t = ...............................................kg m–3 [2]

(c) The oscillations illustrated in Fig. 3.2 are undamped. In practice, the liquid does cause light
damping.

On Fig. 3.2, draw a line to show light damping of the oscillations for time t = 0 to time t = 1.4 s.
[3]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2019 9702/43/M/J/19 [Turn over

55
 8

3 A U-tube contains liquid, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

x
liquid x
liquid
L

Fig. 3.1 Fig. 3.2

The total length of the column of liquid in the tube is L.

The column of liquid is displaced so that the change in height of the liquid in each arm of the
U-tube is x, as shown in Fig. 3.2.

The liquid in the U-tube then oscillates with simple harmonic motion such that the acceleration a of
the column is given by the expression
2g
a = –e ox
L
where g is the acceleration of free fall.

(a) Calculate the period T of oscillation of the liquid column for a column length L of 19.0 cm.

T = ....................................................... s [3]

© UCLES 2018 9702/41/O/N/18

56
 9

(b) The variation with time t of the displacement x is shown in Fig. 3.3.

+2.0
x / cm

+1.0

0
0 T 2T 3T
t

–1.0

–2.0

Fig. 3.3

The period of oscillation of the liquid column of mass 18.0 g is T.

The oscillations are damped.

(i) Suggest one cause of the damping.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Calculate the loss in total energy of the oscillations during the first 2.5 periods of the
oscillations.

energy loss = ....................................................... J [3]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2018 9702/41/O/N/18 [Turn over

57
 6

2 A metal plate is made to vibrate vertically by means of an oscillator, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

sand

direction of plate
oscillations

oscillator

Fig. 2.1

Some sand is sprinkled on to the plate.

The variation with displacement y of the acceleration a of the sand on the plate is shown in
Fig. 2.2.

4
a / m s–2
3

0
–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10
–1 y / mm

–2

–3

–4

–5

Fig. 2.2

(a) (i) Use Fig. 2.2 to show how it can be deduced that the sand is undergoing simple harmonic
motion.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]
© UCLES 2018 9702/41/M/J/18

58
 7

(ii) Calculate the frequency of oscillation of the sand.

frequency = ..................................................... Hz [2]

(b) The amplitude of oscillation of the plate is gradually increased beyond 8 mm. The frequency
is constant.

At one amplitude, the sand is seen to lose contact with the plate.

For the plate when the sand first loses contact with the plate,

(i) state the position of the plate,

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) calculate the amplitude of oscillation.

amplitude = ................................................... mm [3]

[Total: 8]

© UCLES 2018 9702/41/M/J/18 [Turn over

59
 10

4 A U-tube contains liquid, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

x
x
liquid

Fig. 4.1 Fig. 4.2

The total length of the liquid column is L.

The column of liquid is displaced so that the change in height of the liquid level from the equilibrium
position in each arm of the U-tube is x, as shown in Fig. 4.2.

The liquid in the U-tube then oscillates such that its acceleration a is given by the expression

a =-d
2g
nx
L
where g is the acceleration of free fall.

(a) Show that the liquid column undergoes simple harmonic motion.

[2]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/O/N/18

60
 11

(b) The variation with time t of the displacement x is shown in Fig. 4.3.

+2.0

x / cm

+1.0

0
0 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25 1.50
t /s

–1.0

–2.0

Fig. 4.3

Use data from Fig. 4.3 to determine the length L of the liquid column.

L = ...................................................... m [3]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/O/N/18 [Turn over

61
 12

(c) The oscillations shown in Fig. 4.3 are damped.

(i) Suggest one cause of this damping.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Calculate the ratio

total energy of oscillations after 1.5 complete oscillations

total initial energy of oscillations

ratio = .......................................................... [2]

[Total: 8]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/O/N/18

62
 8

3 A U-tube contains liquid, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

x
liquid x
liquid
L

Fig. 3.1 Fig. 3.2

The total length of the column of liquid in the tube is L.

The column of liquid is displaced so that the change in height of the liquid in each arm of the
U-tube is x, as shown in Fig. 3.2.

The liquid in the U-tube then oscillates with simple harmonic motion such that the acceleration a of
the column is given by the expression
2g
a = –e ox
L
where g is the acceleration of free fall.

(a) Calculate the period T of oscillation of the liquid column for a column length L of 19.0 cm.

T = ....................................................... s [3]

© UCLES 2018 9702/43/O/N/18

63
 9

(b) The variation with time t of the displacement x is shown in Fig. 3.3.

+2.0
x / cm

+1.0

0
0 T 2T 3T
t

–1.0

–2.0

Fig. 3.3

The period of oscillation of the liquid column of mass 18.0 g is T.

The oscillations are damped.

(i) Suggest one cause of the damping.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Calculate the loss in total energy of the oscillations during the first 2.5 periods of the
oscillations.

energy loss = ....................................................... J [3]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2018 9702/43/O/N/18 [Turn over

64
 10

4 (a) State two conditions necessary for a mass to be undergoing simple harmonic motion.

1. ...............................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) A trolley of mass 950 g is held on a horizontal surface by means of two springs attached to
fixed points P and Q, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

trolley
mass 950 g
spring

P Q

Fig. 4.1

The springs, each having a spring constant k of 230 N m–1, are always extended.

The trolley is displaced along the line of the springs and then released.
The variation with time t of the displacement x of the trolley is shown in Fig. 4.2.

0
0 t1 t

Fig. 4.2
© UCLES 2018 9702/42/M/J/18

65
 11

(i) 1. State and explain whether the oscillations of the trolley are heavily damped, critically
damped or lightly damped.

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

2. Suggest the cause of the damping.

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................
[3]

(ii) The acceleration a of the trolley of mass m may be assumed to be given by the expression
2k
a=–d nx .
m
1. Calculate the angular frequency ω of the oscillations of the trolley.

ω = ............................................... rad s–1 [3]

2. Determine the time t1 shown on Fig. 4.2.

t1 = ....................................................... s [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/M/J/18 [Turn over

66
 7

3 (a) A mass is undergoing simple harmonic motion with amplitude x0. The maximum velocity of
the mass has magnitude v0.

On Fig. 3.1, show the variation with displacement x of the velocity v of the mass.

v0

0
−x0 0 x0
x

−v0

Fig. 3.1
[2]

(b) A straight stiff wire carries a constant current in a region of uniform magnetic flux density.

The angle θ between the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic field is
varied. The maximum force on the wire is F0.

On Fig. 3.2, show the variation with angle θ of the force F on the wire for values of θ between
0° and 90°.

F0

0
0 90
θ /°

Fig. 3.2
[2]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/F/M/18 [Turn over

67
 8

(c) A sinusoidal supply has frequency 250 Hz and r.m.s. potential difference 2.8 V.

On the axes of Fig. 3.3, show quantitatively the variation with time t of the voltage V for one
cycle of the varying voltage.

8
V/V
6

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
t / ms
−2

−4

−6

−8

Fig. 3.3
[2]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/F/M/18

68
 10

4 (a) Explain what is meant by the natural frequency of vibration of a system.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) A block of metal is fixed to one end of a vertical spring. The other end of the spring is attached
to an oscillator, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

oscillator

spring

metal
block

Fig. 4.1

The amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator is constant.

The variation of the amplitude x0 of the oscillations of the block with frequency f of the
oscillations is shown in Fig. 4.2.

x0

0
f

Fig. 4.2

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/F/M/18

69
 11

(i) Name the effect shown in Fig. 4.2.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) State and explain whether the block is undergoing damped oscillations.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) State one example in which the effect shown in Fig. 4.2 is useful.

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 5]

© UCLES 2018 9702/42/F/M/18 [Turn over

70
 6

2 A metal plate is made to vibrate vertically by means of an oscillator, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

sand

direction of plate
oscillations

oscillator

Fig. 2.1

Some sand is sprinkled on to the plate.

The variation with displacement y of the acceleration a of the sand on the plate is shown in
Fig. 2.2.

4
a / m s–2
3

0
–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10
–1 y / mm

–2

–3

–4

–5

Fig. 2.2

(a) (i) Use Fig. 2.2 to show how it can be deduced that the sand is undergoing simple harmonic
motion.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]
© UCLES 2018 9702/43/M/J/18

71
 7

(ii) Calculate the frequency of oscillation of the sand.

frequency = ..................................................... Hz [2]

(b) The amplitude of oscillation of the plate is gradually increased beyond 8 mm. The frequency
is constant.

At one amplitude, the sand is seen to lose contact with the plate.

For the plate when the sand first loses contact with the plate,

(i) state the position of the plate,

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) calculate the amplitude of oscillation.

amplitude = ................................................... mm [3]

[Total: 8]

© UCLES 2018 9702/43/M/J/18 [Turn over

72