Q: A bottle floats up and down every two minutes. What is its frequency of oscillation?

$$f = \frac{1}{120}\ \text{Hz}$$

Q: If two identical springs with spring constant $$k$$ are attached in series, what is the effective spring constant $$k_{\text{eff}}$$?

$$k_{\text{eff}} = \frac{k}{2}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes simple harmonic motion (SHM)?

Accepted Answer

Motion where the restoring force is proportional to the negative of displacement from equilibrium.

Question 2

A mass attached to a spring oscillates with a period $$T. If $$the mass is doubled, what happens to the period?

Accepted Answer

The period increases by a factor of $$\sqrt{2}.$$

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents Hooke's Law for a spring?

Accepted Answer

$$F = -kx$$

Question 4

A bottle floats up and down every two minutes. What is its frequency of oscillation?

Accepted Answer

$$f = \frac{1}{120}\ 	ext{Hz}$$

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the amplitude $$A of an $$oscillation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Amplitude is always positive and represents the maximum displacement from equilibrium.

Question 6

The velocity of an object in SHM is given by $$v = -\omega A \sin(\omega t). $$What is the maximum velocity?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{	ext{max}} = \omega A$$

Question 7

A spring with spring constant $$k is $$stretched by a distance $$x. $$What is the potential energy stored in the spring?

Accepted Answer

$$U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$

Question 8

If two identical springs with spring constant $$k$$ are attached in series, what is the effective spring constant $$k_{	ext{eff}}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$k_{	ext{eff}} = \frac{k}{2}$$

Question 9

Which property distinguishes longitudinal waves from transverse waves?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal waves have oscillations parallel to the direction of propagation.

Question 10

A mass $$m$$ attached to a spring oscillates with period $$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}. If $$the spring constant $$k is $$quadrupled, what happens to the period?

Accepted Answer

The period is halved.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a property of a standing wave?

Accepted Answer

Energy is transferred along the medium.

Question 12

A spring-mass system oscillates with total mechanical energy $$E. In $$the absence of friction, what happens to $$E$$?

Accepted Answer

Total mechanical energy remains constant.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the effect of damping on an oscillating system?

Accepted Answer

Damping causes the oscillation to die out over time.

Question 14

A mass is attached to two identical springs in parallel. What is the effective spring constant $$k_{	ext{eff}}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$k_{	ext{eff}} = 2k$$

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the acceleration of an object in SHM?

Accepted Answer

Acceleration is maximum at the amplitude.

Question 16

A person stretches a spring by $$0.02\ 	ext{m}$$ with a force of $$18\ 	ext{N}. $$What is the spring constant $$k$$?

Accepted Answer

$$k = 900\ 	ext{N/m}$$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the relationship between period $$T$$ and frequency $$f$$?

Accepted Answer

$$T = \frac{1}{f}$$

Question 18

A mass $$m$$ oscillates on a spring with amplitude $$A. $$What is the total mechanical energy of the system?

Accepted Answer

$$E = \frac{1}{2}kA^2$

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-life example of periodic motion?

Accepted Answer

A heart pulsing.

Question 20

Which wave property allows sound to bend around obstacles?

Accepted Answer

Diffraction

Oscillations and Waves: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards